Team Canada makes last minute roster change ahead of World Baseball Classic.
Photo credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
Visa and insurance issues are already plaguing the World Baseball Classic. Team Canada is no exception.
Earlier this week, it was announced that pitcher Brock Dykxhoorn has been added to the roster replacing Carter Loewen, who reportedly had issues obtaining insurance.
Canadian roster change for World Baseball Classic: Brock Dykxhoorn in for fellow righty Carter Loewen, who didn't get insurance clearance.
Dykxhoorn, a member of Taiwan's Uni-President Lions, helped Canada win gold at 2015 Pan Ams.
Loewen is a reliever in the Padres system.
Dykxhoorn, a member of Taiwan's Uni-President Lions, helped Canada win gold at 2015 Pan Ams.
Loewen is a reliever in the Padres system.
Dykxhoorn has had a very nice career across the water in Asia
Although Dykxhoorn was drafted in the sixth round by the Houston Astros in 2014, the 31-year old from Clinton, Ontario has never reached the major leagues. That doesn't mean he hasn't been successful though.
After splitting 2019 between the SK Wyverns and Lotte Giants, both of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League, he has spent the last six years as a starter for the Uni-President Lions, based in Taiwan, and one of the Chinese Baseball League's (CBL) most successful teams.
Loewen meanwhile, is a reliever in the San Diego Padres system. Loewen, who hails from Abbotsford, British Columbia, was actually drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 40th round of the 2016 draft but chose not to sign and instead played college ball at the University of Hawaii.
Four years later, he signed with San Diego as an undrafted free agent.
He is also not related to former Blue Jays outfielder/pitcher Adam Loewen, who is from nearby Surrey.
2026 Edition starts in March, has been beset by insurance issues
The 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic has already been beset by a number of issues, mainly due the number of denied insurance claims. In spite of that, the tournament is still scheduled to get underway on March 5th.
Team Canada will be in Pool A, along with Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and Puerto Rico.
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FEVRIER 27|94 ANSWERS Team Canada makes last minute roster change ahead of World Baseball Classic. Will you watch the World Baseball Classic? | ||
| Yes | 71 | 75.5 % |
| No | 23 | 24.5 % |
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