WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC VS NICARAGUA

March 13, 2023

Eloy Jiménez

LoanDepot Park

Team Dominican Republic

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Your feelings about making your debut in this tournament? I know that you are always ready to play. Considering the first game, did you think, will I have a chance in this game?

ELOY JIMENEZ: I have to thank God for this opportunity, first of all. Of course, everyone was expecting that in the dugout. You wait for your moment, your opportunity. I was ready for that. It didn't come, but I continued supporting and rooting for the guys. And about playing, I'm feeling well. I'm ready to do my best, just as in the first game.

Q. The team manager just said that he is going to switch you with Juan Soto, since he cannot play in two days in a row. What do you think about that? What do you feel about that?

ELOY JIMENEZ: Nothing. I'm just going to support it and continue playing hard. It's the manager's decision. I'm not against that. We are all playing for the same goal, and we have to accept whatever he decides.

Q. How difficult has it been dealing with criticism? I know that you don't read social media, but you are the favorites of the tournament. How difficult has it been dealing with that criticism?

ELOY JIMENEZ: Like you said, I haven't read anything. I'm not on social media. People are going to speak whether you win or lose. We are all trying to do our best to win, and comments will always be there. I mean, that's reality.

Q. About the first game, some people said that there was some nerves. What are your thoughts? What have you spoken with the manager about the game versus Nicaragua today, about being patient at the plate?

ELOY JIMENEZ: What can I say? Yes, there were some nerves in the first game. Everyone wanted to do their best. The whole country was watching that and supporting us, but the first game is in the past.

Today is a new day. We are going to fight, and we're going to do our best to win. We have to be focused, and we didn't have that in the first game. To control the nerves and to be focused, that's what we have to do.