Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that "I don't feel comfortable celebrating in the White House," in light of how the Trump administration has treated Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
The 2018 World Series champions are scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday.
Cora, a 43-year-old native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, gave a written statement to Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia.
The English version of the statement reads:
"Puerto Rico is very important to me. During the winter I spent a lot of time back home, visiting my family and friends. Unfortunately, we are still struggling, still fighting. Some people still lack basic necessities, others remain without electricity and many homes and schools are in pretty bad shape almost a year and a half after Hurricane Maria struck.
"Even though the United States Government has helped, there's still a long road ahead and that is OUR reality. I've used my voice on many occasions so that Puerto Ricans are not forgotten and my absence (from the White House) is no different. As such, at this moment, I don't feel comfortable celebrating in the White House."
Cora had previously said he was unsure if he would participate in the visit.
