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Red Sox reliever ‘stoked’ for Team USA nod; why won’t Roman Anthony, others play in WBC?
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- Red Sox reliever ‘stoked’ for Team USA nod; why won’t Roman Anthony, others play in WBC?
A month before pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training, the Red Sox are prepared for a large number of their key players to leave Fort Myers to participate in the World Baseball Classic.
Though many nations have not finalized their rosters for the event, which begins March 5 and will feature 20 national teams, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora have a pretty good idea which members of the Red Sox are going to participate .
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Among those committed — or expected to commit — are Garrett Whitlock (USA), Aroldis Chapman (Great Britain), Brayan Bello (Dominican Republic), Wilyer Abreu (Venezuela), Jarren Duran (Mexico), Ceddanne Rafaela (Netherlands) and Jovani Morán (Puerto Rico). Other possibilities include Greg Weissert , who is in talks to suit up for Italy, Masataka Yoshida , who might return to the Japanese roster after a strong tournament in 2023, and newcomer Willson Contreras , who is waiting for insurance approval to represent Venezuela.
The Red Sox don’t expect other key players like Garrett Crochet , Sonny Gray , Roman Anthony and Trevor Story to participate. Catcher Carlos Narváez wanted to play for Venezuela but insurance issues got in the way because he had minor knee surgery in October. Infielder Marcelo Mayer , possibly representing Mexico, is in a similar boat after wrist surgery late in the season but is holding out hope.
Here’s what members of the club had to say about the WBC during Saturday’s Fenway Fest.
Whitlock ‘stoked’ for USA bid
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Whitlock committed to Team USA in November and is expected to be the first Red Sox player to represent the stars and stripes in the tournament since Shane Victorino in 2013. Calls from manager Mark DeRosa and pitching coach Andy Pettitte represented something of a dream come true for the Alabama native.
“I’m stoked,” Whitlock said Saturday. “When Mark gave me that call, it was such a fun call to receive. I enjoyed talking to him and talking to Andy. Now, we’ve got to get ready for this thing. Brez ( Craig Breslow ) and Bails (Andrew Bailey) have been amazing with the communication and same with the medical staff. It’s an honor to get to represent the U.S.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, especially on the amateur side... I’ve always wanted to be a part of it. To have this opportunity, it’s a true honor.”
Whitlock, who had a fully healthy season last year and re-emerged as a dominant setup man for Cora , will throw a live batting practice session this week in Alabama, moving up his throwing progression to be ready for the tournament.
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“We moved it up two weeks early. That’s really it,” Whitlock said. “Normally, I probably wouldn’t throw a live before I get down there and now I’m throwing a live next Friday.”
Anthony playing it safe
There were rumors that Anthony had interest in suiting up for Team Italy, but he has decided to play it safe after missing the final month of the regular season (and Boston ’s brief postseason run) with a serious oblique strain. The outfielder will spend the entirety of spring training at Fenway South.
“I would say that’s out of play,” Anthony said. “There’s a lot of noise that I’ve heard, but for me, the goal after this year was, ‘Hey, I ended on an injury. I don’t want to rush into something.’ I think this was on both ends, not just my side. This is gonna be the first full year of a big league season. It’s important we take advantage of spring and this offseason going into spring training.
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“I would love to play in the WBC at some point. For who? I’m not sure. Obviously, Italy would be a great opportunity and a blast. For me, right now, the best thing is to go into this spring and take full advantage of my first spring training before my first full season in the big leagues.”
Narváez disappointed; Mayer holding out hope
Narváez put himself in the conversation to serve as a catcher for Venezuela this spring but was denied the chance to do so after undergoing a meniscus procedure shortly after the season. That knee issue is resolved and Narváez fully expects to be ready for Opening Day, but won’t get a chance to test it in the WBC .
“I would love to,” he said. “I got denied by the insurance, so I’m not able to.”
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Mayer had arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist on August 20, complicating his plans to suit up alongside Duran for Team Mexico.
“As of right now, nothing is set in stone,” he said. “Last I heard, I’m waiting for the WBC insurance to clear it which I’ve heard is not that easy. I’m staying hopeful because I’d love to play for Team Mexico.”
Contreras in play for Venezuela?
On his introductory Zoom call with Boston-based reporters Wednesday, Contreras, who was acquired from St. Louis for three pitchers shortly before Christmas, said he aims to play for Venezuela — if the insurance company approves it. Contreras did not play in the 2023 tournament after signing a five-year free agent deal with St. Louis. He wants to participate this time.
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“I was talking to (the manager of Venezuela),” Contreras said. “Where we have a little issue right now is with the insurance company. We are talking about things we can do about it, but I haven’t heard anything yet, from the insurance company.”
Lawson to coach
The Red Sox will be down at least one major league coach during spring training as assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson is going to be on Great Britain’s staff, according to Cora.
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