Venezuela has lost its ace for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Right-hander Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners is on the verge of earning a five-year contract extension of $135.5 million. Trying not to jeopardize this deal he has informed Venezuela’s manager Luis Sojo that he will not play in the World Champion crowning event. One of his agents informed ESPN Deportes about this decision on Friday. Venezuela faces the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Spain in Group C during the first round of the WBC.
Meanwhile Team USA has found a replacement for Kris Medlen, who is skipping the 2013 World Baseball Classic because of the birth of his first child. Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals will suit up for the team of manager Joe Torre next month. The 27-year-old left-hander is one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball in the past three seasons. In 2012 he was 21-8 with an ERA of 2.89 in 32 starts. He came in third in the Cy Young Award voting. He however is also one of the players, which are in a report of the Miami New Times, which could initiate a new MLB doping scandal.