Team Mexico is getting a major boost behind the plate at the World Baseball Classic.
Mexico announced Wednesday that Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has committed to suit up for his country in March.
Coming off his second career all-star appearance and a trip to the World Series with the Blue Jays, Kirk will join the likes of Jarren Duran, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda in a stacked Mexico lineup.
Kirk, a native of Tijuana, slashed .282/.348/.421 with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs in 130 regular-season games for Toronto before smacking an additional five homers in the post-season.
One of the top defensive catchers in baseball as well, the 27-year-old backstop should be a stabilizing presence for Mexico's pitching staff in Group B play.
Mexico's round-robin games will be played at Daikin Park in Houston. It will take on Great Britain, Brazil, Italy and the United States, with the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals.
Kirk was unable to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic due to the birth of his child, keeping him away from training camp for too long. Mexico still delivered a strong performance in that tournament, advancing to the semifinal before falling to the eventual champion Samurai Japan.
The Blue Jays now have multiple players likely to participate in this year's WBC, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. set to play for the Dominican Republic, and José Berríos saying he wants to pitch for Puerto Rico if he is healthy.
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