Colombia is scheduled to play against France, Panama and Spain in the Panama City qualifier, roughly a three-hour flight from Miami International Airport. The winners of that and three other qualifying pools around the globe will advance to the 2017 World Baseball Classic next March.
A former top prospect, Herrera, 21, has spent parts of the past two seasons in the Majors. He was a favorite to start at second base this summer before the Mets traded for Neil Walker. Now, Herrera is unlikely to make the team despite little left to prove in the Minors.