As players all around baseball get ready for the World Baseball Classic to begin, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Injury Updates Expected
Multiple injury updates are expected today, with Phillies manager Rob Thomson telling reporters (including Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer) that the club hopes to have an update on top prospect Andrew Painter’s status today regarding the results of the testing the young right-hander underwent on his elbow over the weekend. As not only one of the top prospects in the entire game, but also one of the frontrunners to capture the fifth starter spot in Philadelphia, Painter’s health status is one of the most pressing questions of the day.
Moving to the other side of Pennsylvania, MLB.com’s Justice delos Santos notes that health updates are expected today both for Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and lefty reliever Jarlin Garcia. McCutchen was struck in the hand by a fouled off pitch yesterday, while Garcia is suffering from left arm tightness. Given McCutchen’s status as not only the starting right fielder but also a Pirates legend making his return to the organization, and Garcia’s status as one of Pittsburgh’s best setup options ahead of David Bednar, losing either player for a significant period would surely be a blow to the club as they prepare for Opening Day at the end of the month.
2. Pools C and D report for WBC
Teams in Pools C and D for the WBC are reporting today, after Pools A and B reported on Friday. Pool C consists of the USA, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and Colombia, while Pool D consists of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Israel, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. The teams in Pools C and D are even more star-studded than those in Pools A and B, which we covered in Friday’s Opener. 19 former All-Stars are on the Team USA roster alone, while the Dominican Republic’s roster sports 13 former All-Stars of its own.
Ronald Acuna Jr. (Venezuela), Jose Altuve (Venezuela), Luis Arraez (Venezuela), Javier Baez (Puerto Rico), Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela), Edwin Diaz (Puerto Rico), Eduardo Escobar (Venezuela), Freddie Freeman (Canada), Andres Gimenez (Venezuela), Francisco Lindor (Puerto Rico), Omar Narvaez (Venezuela), Joc Pederson (Israel), Salvador Perez (Venezuela), Marcus Stroman (Puerto Rico), Eugenio Suarez (Venezuela), Julio Teheran (Colombia), Gleyber Torres (Venezuela), and Taijuan Walker (Mexico) represent the other All Stars in Pools C and D. You can find full rosters for each WBC team here.
3. MLBTR Live Chat
MLBTR is excited to continue its live chat series with people from around the game of baseball today, as we welcome Ed Lynch. Lynch was a right-handed pitcher whose career spanned eight seasons with the Mets and Cubs from 1980 to 1987. Lynch had a 4.00 ERA and 3.90 FIP in 940 1/3 innings before retiring at the age of 31 and transitioning to front office work that eventually led him to become the Cubs’ general manager from 1994-2000. Given his wealth of experience both as a front office executive and as a major league player, we’re excited for Lynch to share his insight with MLBTR readers during today’s live chat, which you can join right now!
You have some great guests this week.
Ed Lynch should be interesting with his background. Looking forward to it.
Does anyone know if the wbc will be televised? If so, what network and what time?
Fox. FS1 and FS2
Start times are all over the place so literally you can watch baseball for breakfast.
So Freeman was born in the US, went to high school in the US, and played for the 18U/16U US national team.
Naturally he starts at first for Canada.
Both his parents are from Canada.
This happens all the time in soccer. If you were born and raised in England but your great-grandfather was born in Poland, you can play for Poland.
Both his parents are born in Canada, so he enjoys dual citizenship!
I get that part, but still. I think it has more to do with Paul Goldschmidt than it does his citizenship. Either way, I’m looking forward to the WBC.
It has nothing to do with Goldy. It’s not like Freeman wouldn’t play if he decided to go USA. It’s a gesture for his parents.
He’s just proud of his Canadian roots. Talks about it all the time. Showing some pride for his parents. Go Canada!
MLB tries to get as many MLB starters as they can on as many teams as they can. It’s much more about entertainment than patriotism. Just enjoy the exhibition.
That’s why you have the interesting inclusion of Lars Nootbar on Team Japan.
I’d imagine Czech & Israel will be in the WBC final. Not a lot of talent on the other teams. Mostly over the hill players ready for the retirement home.
The needle on my sarcasm detector just went to 11.
Can I just say, while I support the WBC in principle, as a Red Sox fan it’s a real bummer this year when our team is in a state of flux with so many unknowns to have them gone from Spring Training for several weeks.
I’m still looking forward to the wbc. It’s the last time we’ll see baseball as it should be played.
avenger, who determines how baseball “should be played?”
Should there be interleague games?
The designated hitter?
Multiple divisions and more than two playoff teams?
Night games?
Gloves?
How far back in the game’s history do we have to go to get it right?
Baseball, like other sports and our broader society, change with the times in order to stay relevant and appealing. I loved the ’80s style with lots of stolen bases, but what I like isn’t necessarily how it “should be played.”
THIS IS KILLING ME!!!!!!! Is there any word on Andrew Painter yet? this news came out Friday and got tested on Saturday. normally we would know the results by now which is making me think the worst and he was instructed to get TJ Surgery. I think that’s was the end result and Painter and the Phillies are seeking a 2nd opinion. I think it has to be that cause since he got it Friday night or Saturday morning or afternoon the team would have releases the results by now if they weren’t bad or very worrisome.