Francisco Lindor is not losing faith in the World Baseball Classic despite watching Edwin Diaz – his teammate on both the New York Mets and Team Puerto Rico – suffer a potentially season-ending torn patellar tendon during Wednesday's celebration.

While the superstar shortstop understands the concerns from fans about how Diaz's injury in the tournament affects the Mets' World Series aspirations, he still sees participating in the WBC as being on the same level as lifting the Commissioner's Trophy in October.

"I understand how Mets fans are hurting. But while for so many people the regular season is what counts, playing in the WBC means just as much to all of us," Lindor told ESPN's Marly Rivera. "It is the dream of every Puerto Rican ballplayer to wear Puerto Rico's colors and to represent our country. And not only Puerto Ricans, but every player in the WBC considers being here the ultimate honor."

Diaz's injury appeared to happen in freakish fashion, as he was being mobbed after saving Puerto Rico's critical victory over the Dominican Republic. The celebration was raucous as the win moved Puerto Rico on to the quarterfinals, though the mood quickly turned once the severity of the injury became apparent.