The bases: Volquez starts Game 1 hours after father dies in Dominican Republic

The father of Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez died Tuesday in the Dominican Republic, shortly before his son took the mound to start Game 1 of the World Series.

Two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that 63-year-old Danio Volquez died from heart failure. His son was informed of Volquez’s passing on the way to the ballpark, where he was scheduled to make his World Series debut.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

The elder Volquez, a mechanic in the Dominican Republic, introduced his son to the game when he was about 10 years old. Edinson Volquez often returned home to visit his parents, and said not long ago they were his biggest supporters while trying to make it in the big leagues.

The 11-year veteran appeared to warm up as if nothing was amiss on a misty evening in Kansas City, then marched stoically to the mound to start the game as the crowd roared.

His first pitch to Mets leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson went for a called strike, and the right-hander went on to retire the side in the first inning. He fanned Daniel Murphy, the hottest hitter this post-season, as the crowd inside Kauffman Stadium chanted, "Eddie! Eddie!"

Volquez’s father is the third parent of player on the Royals’ World Series roster to die in the past three months.

Connie Moustakas, the mother of third baseman Mike Moustakas, passed away on Aug. 9 after a battle with cancer. Charles Young, the father of Chris Young, died of cancer on Sept. 26.

Encarnacion has surgery

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion has undergone surgery to repair a sports hernia.

The team said in a release that the designated hitter/first baseman is expected to recover in time for spring training.

Encarnacion helped form one of the most feared batting orders during the regular season, belting 39 homers and driving in 111 runs. The Jays’ Nos. 2-3-4 hitters — third baseman Josh Donaldson, right fielder Jose Bautista and Encarnacion — combined for 120 homers and 348 runs batted in.

Encarnacion, who was also bothered by a hand injury, had a .333 average with a homer and three RBIs in Toronto’s five-game win over Texas in their American League Division Series, but his production tailed off in the AL Championship Series.

He hit .227 with two RBIs as Kansas City dispatched Toronto in six games.

Hair today, gone after Series

Jacob deGrom sounded like his decision was a lock: He wants to trim his long hair after the season.

Before Tuesday night’s World Series opener, the New York Mets pitcher was asked whether his hair was better than the flowing dreadlocks on Kansas City’s Johnny Cueto. The two are scheduled to start in Game 2.

“I think mine is gone at the end of the year, so I’ll give that award to him,” deGrom said. “It’s driving me nuts. I’ve got to get rid of it.”