With the next round of World Baseball Classic Qualifiers to be played one week from now, first news are triggering in about big stars dropping out of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Fresh off signing a new two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, designated hitter David Ortiz let known that he is considering sitting out next March’s event. He would play for the Dominican Republic.
While the Caribbean squad has enough offense to make up for Ortiz’s no-show, Japan will be without its best starting pitcher. Right-hander Yu Darvish, who just completed his first MLB season with the Texas Rangers, issued a statement earlier this week that he won’t be playing in the 2013 WBC. He pitched in five games at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.