MLBPA bars players from Caribbean Series Home Run Derby

Bob Hille

MLBPA bars players from Caribbean Series Home Run Derby image

MLB stars David Ortiz, Robinson Cano and Miguel Cabrera won't be allowed to participate Wednesday in the Caribbean Series' first Home Run Derby for fear of injury in a non-sanctioned event, the players union said Monday.

"Unfortunately, the people in charge of the event didn't follow the necessary protocol to ensure that any major leaguers participating in an event like that one is protected from a possible injury," MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said (via ESPN.com). "As a result, in order to protect the rights and interests of the players invited to compete, we were forced to advise those players and their representatives that participating in the event was not in their best interests."

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Organizers of the 2016 Caribbean Series in the Dominican Republican had planned on an inaugural Home Run Derby on the third day of the tournament that started Monday and went so far as to announce Ortiz, Cano and Cabrera as participants.

However, according to the organizing committee, MLBPA said it would need a financial guarantee to allow the trio to take part, and the request for their participation had to be made no later than Jan. 1.

According to ESPN.com, the derby will go on as scheduled Wednesday at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo, between the day's two scheduled games. But now it will involve different participants, including Twins DH Kennys Vargas, who apparently will be allowed to participate despite being a major-leaguer. Former MLB slugger Vladimir Guerrero also is listed as a participant.

Bob Hille

Bob Hille Photo

Bob Hille, a senior content consultant for The Sporting News, has been part of the TSN team for most of the past 30 years, including as managing editor and executive editor. He is a native of Texas (forever), adopted son of Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State, and longtime fan of “Bull Durham” (h/t Annie Savoy for The Sporting News mention).