A couple of shot news around the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The biggest news at the beginning of the week concerns Team USA. Right-hander Kris Medlen of the Atlanta Braves announced last Friday that he is not going to play due to the impending birth of his first child. Returning to the rotation after a stint in the Braves bullpen he was one of the strongest pitchers in the second half of last year’s MLB season, going 9-0 with an ERA of 0.97. The United States are facing Italy, Mexico and Canada in round of the WBC in Phoenix.
Puerto Rico’s pitching staff might also suffer a loss. Javier Vasquez, who didn’t pitch in 2012 and who is contemplating to return to Major League Baseball, is getting his right meniscus repaired on Wednesday by a Miami Marlins physician. After the procedure he is expected to resume throwing after two to three weeks. If this is enough to be in shape to pitch for Team PR in the first round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic remains to be seen. They will face Spain, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela in the first round in San Juan.
In Canada meanwhile you can buy World Baseball Classic themed coins. Royal Canadian Mint is offering seven different silver and gold coins priced between $114.95 CAD and $1,549.95 CAD.