Julio Rodriguez Back in Camp After WBC Run with Dominican Republic
Julio Rodriguez is back where he belongs: at the Mariners' spring training facility in Arizona, and he's already making an impression. The center fielder launched a batting practice pitch about 400-plus feet onto the top of a semi truck parked beyond the left field fence on Wednesday during truck day. Welcome back to camp, J-Rod.
Rodriguez spent the last stretch representing the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic, and while the results at the plate left something to be desired, the experience itself was everything he hoped for. He appeared in five games but struggled offensively, hitting just .176 and going hitless over the final four contests. Still, stepping onto that international stage meant the world to him.
Living the Dream on Baseball's Biggest Stage
"I mean, it was fun, because we were just a whole bunch of kids from the Dominican Republic it felt like all like, kind of like living their dream to the fullest at the biggest stage that international baseball could provide. So I thought it was awesome," Rodriguez said.
He homered in the Dominican's opening victory over Nicaragua, but the semifinal matchup against the United States gave him the moments he'll remember most. Rodriguez made a leaping catch at the wall in the fifth inning to rob Aaron Judge of a home run in a 2-1 loss. Then came the ninth inning. Standing at third base, Rodriguez watched as Geraldo Perdomo struck out on a called third strike that was, well, nowhere near the zone.
"It was tough, but it was even tougher when I saw the call they rung him up on," Rodriguez said. "A game shouldn't end like that, but at the same time, it was their win."
The Homecoming, and What's Ahead
Rodriguez was back in the spring training lineup Wednesday alongside Josh Naylor. Dominic Canzone also returned after helping Italy reach the semifinals. Still waiting to rejoin the squad are pitchers Eduard Bazardo and Jhonathan Diaz from champion Venezuela and catcher Cal Raleigh, who didn't see action in the U.S. tournament run after the semifinals.
There was plenty of love around the facility for former Mariner Eugenio Suárez, who delivered the game-winning hit in the ninth inning for Venezuela in the championship game against the U.S. Manager Dan Wilson couldn't have been happier for him.
"I couldn't be happier for a guy. What an incredible person, first of all, but what an incredible player, too. And to come up big right there in that situation, it just made you smile in a lot of ways," Wilson said. "Just the humility he plays with and how much he pumps up other people around him, it's awesome."
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.