Nick Martinez is heading to the classic…

The 32-year-old Latino professional baseball player, a pitcher for the San Diego Padres, will replace Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on the 30-man roster for the United States for the World Baseball Classic, according to Major League Baseball officials.

Martinez went 4-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 47 games for San Diego last season, making 10 starts and collecting eight saves.

He finalized a $26 million, three-year contract with the Padres in November.

Kershaw announced Friday that he wouldn’t be able to participate in the WBC. The three-time Cy Young Award winner didn’t specify the reasons that would prevent him from participating.