The 16 World Baseball Classic teams have to submit their provisional rosters these days. Two pitchers probably will miss the spring tournament.
The Korean Chan Ho Park declined an invitation to play for South Korea in the upcoming competition, because he wants to concentrate on landing a spot in the starting rotation of the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. In an emotional press conference he apologized for his withdrawal from the national team. “I’m very sorry to my fans and the people who wanted me to play in the Classic. I won’t be playing for the national team anymore.” The 35-year-old had a 4-4 record with an ERA of 3.40 in 54 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.
Another ace of a WBC participant isn’t sure if he will be healthy enough to play in the tournament. The two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana from the New York Mets is rehabbing after a left-knee surgery to repair torn cartilage and would love to play for Venezuela, but he doesn’t know if the Mets will allow his participation. “My mind is set to play, but at this point I don’t know what is going to happen with the medical staff and the team. They have a lot to protect. If they don’t want me to play then I won’t play.” He had a 16-7 record with an ERA of 2.53 in his first season in Queens, New York.
MLB.com: Park to skip World Baseball Classic
Associated Press: Johan Santana unsure if he’ll pitch in WBC