Suffering from a rash of injuries, Team USA might forfeit the WBC:
Team USA manager Davey Johnson already knows what he would do if injuries got so bad in the World Baseball Classic that he ran out of certain position players: He would forfeit.
The injury-plagued Americans were so short-handed Sunday against the Netherlands that backup catcher Brian McCann played left field in the ninth. Asked during the team’s batting practice Monday who his third catcher would have been, Johnson said he wouldn’t have even tried to put a player in that position for fear of injury – even if it meant elimination.
This would be a huge black eye against the WBC, confirming all the fears teams entertain about sending their players away during spring training. It also just reflects badly on US players that they appear unprepared physically for the tournament. It was embarrassing to lose by the mercy rule, and now they may forfeit to the Netherlands.
I’m confused by this one… they already beat the Netherlands.
The fact that these WBC guys don’t have their own camp, earlier than the rest, really is an embarrassment. They drag the rest of MLB in a little early which does nothing. The WBC guys aren’t ready and the MLB guys are overworked.
It’s foolish.
I think the biggest embarrassment still goes to the DR for getting ousted by the Netherlands. With apologies for saying it on St. Patricks Day, go Orange! (Yes, I know they’re already out, but still I am impressed by their pitching)