Mariners will be well-represented in the World Baseball Classic
Feb 8, 2017, 4:34 PM | Updated: Feb 9, 2017, 10:15 am
Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano, on the Dominican Republic team, are among 11 Mariners in the WBC. (AP)
(AP)
Eleven members of the Mariners organization, six of whom are on their 40-man roster, have been named to World Baseball Classic teams. The 11 Mariners will represent seven countries.
The WBC gets underway March 6 with the championship game to be played March 22 at Dodger Stadium. To accommodate the Classic, spring training games will start early this year with the Mariners’ first game to take place Feb. 25.
Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz will leave camp to play for the Dominican Republic, whose first game will be March 9 vs. Canada in Miami. The Mariners will lose two and possibly three of their starters for a time with Felix Hernandez on Team Venezuela and Yovani Gallardo on Team Mexico. Drew Smyly has been added to USA’s “designated pitcher” list, meaning he could be called upon in the later rounds. Edwin Diaz will pitch for Puerto Rico.
The Mariners have had conversations with WBC teams about pitcher usage beyond what is dictated in the tournament rules. According to the rules, a pitcher must have a minimum of one day rest if he throws 30 or more pitches in a game, four days off if he throws more than 50 pitches and a pitcher may not pitch more than two days in a row. Starters are limited to 65 pitches in the first round, 80 in the second round and 95 in the final round.
In addition to the 40-man roster Mariners, Tyler O’Neill will play for Canada, Pat Venditte and Sam Gaviglio will represent Italy, Sebastian Valle is on Team Mexico and Emilio Pagan is on Puerto Rico’s roster.
Information about the WBC can be found on the official website.
