Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Sunday that he will not accompany his team to celebrate its World Series title at the White House on Thursday.
In a statement in Spanish sent to El Nuevo Dia, Cora cited the fact that Puerto Rico still has not recovered from Hurricane Maria in 2017 for his decision.
Cora confirmed to reporters in Chicago after the Red Sox's 9-2 victory over the White Sox that he will not be accompanying his team to the White House.
"Like the report said, the government has done some things back home that are great, but we still have a long ways to go. That's our reality. It's pretty tough to go celebrate when we're where we are at. I'd rather not go and just be consistent with everything," he said.
In January, the Puerto Rico native was outspoken about the island's need for hurricane relief. He indicated then that he might skip the traditional champion's visit to Washington because of President Donald Trump's policies toward Puerto Rico.
Cora said Sunday that he isn't worried about backlash to his decision.
"No, because there was going to be a reaction anyway," he said, adding that the Red Sox "understand" his decision.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts also announced Sunday that he will not be attending the White House visit, joining Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Rafael Devers, David Price, Christian Vazquez and Hector Velazquez among the players who have said they will skip the trip.
The Red Sox will visit the White House on Thursday, an off day after a three-game series in Baltimore against the Orioles.
ESPN's Bradford Doolittle and The Associated Press contributed to this report.