Sunday, February 17, 2013

Gonzalez to miss 1st round of WBC

USA Today Sports Images
Gio Gonzalez participates in a bunting drill at Nationals camp.
VIERA, Fla. -- Though Gio Gonzalez will have to leave Nationals camp during the World Baseball Classic, he won't miss as much time as other players participating in next month's international tournament.

Gonzalez will skip the first round of the WBC, giving him an opportunity to make an extra Grapefruit League start with the Nationals before finally joining Team USA in time to make a second-round start March 12 in Miami, manager Davey Johnson said.

"He's starting the second round in Miami," Johnson said. "I got that from [USA pitching coach] Greg Maddux. There's no sense in him going to join the club when everybody else does, so he could stay here and get his work in and then drive down to Miami after he throws his last game here."
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8 comments:

MicheleS said...

Good, no flying across the country, stays close in FL. Can be monitored.

MicheleS said...

sooo, this is interesting... from Kolko's wrap up article..

Anthony Rendon, meanwhile, will spend some time with Johnson this spring working on his footwork at second base.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Let's hope the USA loses out in the first round so Gio doesn't have to leave camp at all.

baseballswami said...

I have heard former and current players talk about what a great experience the WBC was and how it inspired them. I think it's sad that we are so afraid of our guys getting hurt that we can 't be proud of them. Either MLB players participate freely, or they are not allowed. If it's going to happen, I want to see a great team kick some international posterior. If we can 't field a great team, we might as well skip if. It's once every three years for a couple of weeks. Go Gio! Go Team USA!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

If this was a strategic compromise than great.

Candide said...

Looks like Gio knows enough about bunting to keep his knuckles off the front of the bat.

Tcostant said...

Stupid. If your part of the team he should go now.

Unknown said...

Personally I wish none of our players were going to the World Games -- I mean, who cares? its not even the Olympics. Can't a GM refuse to let his players go, or is that not an option where MLB is concerned? If Gio gets hurt throwing too hard, too long, too soon to win a meaningless game, lots of people are going to be pretty upset

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