Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora will not be joining his team as the 2018 World Series champions make their way to visit the White House in celebration of their victory.
Cora, who is Puerto Rican, has stated that his decision stems from President Donald Trump and his administration's poor response to Hurricane Maria.
"Although the government of the United States has helped, there is still a long way to go, that is OUR reality," said Cora in a statement issued to newspaper El Nuevo Dia. "I have continually used my voice so that we Puerto Ricans are not forgotten and my absence is not different. Therefore, at this moment, I do not feel comfortable celebrating in the White House."
Along with Cora, other players on the team will not be participating in the trip, including Mookie Betts, Rafel Devers and David Price who have all confirmed their absence.
It's yet another marked moment of tension between Donald Trump and Major League Baseball. Recently, the president put a stop to a deal between the MLB and Cuba that would allow Cuban players to come to the United States without defecting, creating a safer process for aspiring players who have traditionally resorted to dangerous routes to gain entry to the United States. The decision reversed pending deals for 34 different players, making them ineligible.