Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo, who is competing for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, will get a shot Monday to punch a ticket to the tournament’s championship game.
While Mexico has shocked the WBC throughout its underdog run, including snagging Pool C over the United States and overcoming Puerto Rico in a late-game rally during the quarterfinal round, Verdugo has struggled at the plate.
Before taking the field at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Verdugo revealed he was contacted by Red Sox hitting coach Pete Fatse.
"I'm close. Just a few corrections to make," Verdugo told reporters, according to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe.
The 26-year-old, prior to first pitch against Japan on Monday, has hit .105/.217/.105, going just 2-for-19 at the plate in the WBC.
Verdugo has contributed three RBIs with both hits being singles, striking out just one time while drawing two walks for Mexico. That's made for three hitless WBC performances for Verdugo, who delivered a bloop single to continue Mexico's rally against Puerto Rico on Friday night.
During spring training, Verdugo noted his motivation entering 2023 following what he and Red Sox manager Alex Cora viewed as a rather underwhelming result in 2022.
"I was just tired of people always having something to say about me and it's like, you know what, (expletive) it," Verdugo told reporters in February, according to MassLive. "Let's handle what I can handle. Let's control what I can control and put in the work."
Verdugo, who is heading into his fourth campaign with the Red Sox, batted .280 with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs in 152 games last season.
