Notes: MLB.com interviews Van Den Hurk about World Baseball Classic

Netherlands:
Marlins pitcher Rick Van Den Hurk is honored to represent Holland in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He spoke to MLB.com about the event.

“The Classic is very exciting,” Van Den Hurk said. “It was killing me last time because I had Tommy John [surgery] on my arm. That is one of the things you want to do, is play for your country. I didn’t get the opportunity last time to go to the Olympics because they called me up to pitch against the Braves.”

Australia:
Reliever Grant Balfour and starting pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith will not pitch for Australia in the upcoming 2009 World Baseball Classic. Balfour, who plays for the Tampa Bay Rays, wanted to play, but the Rays told him that they prefer it, if he doesn’t go. Rowland-Smith is pursuing a spot in the rotation of the Seattle Mariners and believes he needs to stay in Spring Training.

“It was a tough decision, but my time would be better served to be here,” he said. “I have worked hard all offseason to be in the rotation, and I don’t want to miss any days [of Spring Training].”

Dominican Republic:
The Indians vetoed the participation of Fausto Carmona in the World Baseball Classic, as they want him in Spring Training in Arizona, so he can work on his mechanics, which were out of sync following a hip injury. Teammate Jhonny Peralta might also withdraw himself from the roster of the Dominican Republic in the coming days, though the shortstop is behind Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Tejada in the depth chart anyway.

In addition the Angels made their decision official on Friday that outfielder Vladimir Guerrero and starting pitcher Ervin Santana will not play for the Dominicans in the WBC.

Closer Francisco Cordero of the Cincinnati Reds still plans to pitch for the team despite undergoing minor foot surgery this winter.

Mexico:
Alfredo Aceves, who made his Major League debut for the New York Yankees last summer, will not play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. He would have been a nice addition to the rotation for the team of Vinny Castilla.

“It was a hard decision but I feel I should stay here,” he said.

Matt Garza also skips the WBC. He had surgery on his right foot.

Venezuela:
We already reported a few days ago that Johan Santana has to skip the World Baseball Classic. This weekend another strong starting pitcher from Venezuela followed. Carlos Zambrano will not pitch, as he is afraid to aggravate his right shoulder and he also considers doing Lasik surgery on his right eye.

There are also some more details available about the non-playing of Santana. The Mets ace had the approval from his employer, but will not play due to an insurance issue. Apparently the organizers of the WBC deny his participation because of high costs of an insurance premium.

“It has nothing to do with my willingness to play in the [Classic],” Santana said. “I was preparing myself. Everything was on the right track.”

Reliever Rafael Betancourt (Indians) and infielder Maicer Izturis (Angels) also will not play for Venezuela in the WBC.