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• Colon likes to play if healthy

  09Nov
  Categories: Dominican Republic, Pool D, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Bartolo Colon, American League Cy Young Winner, is expected to be ready for spring training and hopes to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the inaugural World Baseball Classic if healthy.

  Two Angel trainers examined Colon and performed strength tests on his shoulder recently. While his back is fine, he won’t know about the state of his shoulder until he started a rehabilitation and light throwing program, which begin next week.

  “It’s hard to say right now [how the shoulder is] because I’m not throwing,” Colon said. “But I know my back is feeling better.”

  Colon reportedly has been picked to represent the Dominican Republic in World Baseball Classic next March but is waiting to see how his strained right shoulder responds before deciding if he’ll pitch.

  “Pitching in the World Classic is contingent on how his shoulder feels and how his rehab goes,” Manager Mike Scioscia said on the conference call. “We’ll see how he progresses.”

  Angels ace Bartolo Colon wins American League Cy Young Award
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  Award can’t wash away the pain
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• More players will join WBC

  09Nov
  Categories: Canada, Dominican Republic, Korea, México, Pool A, Pool B, Pool D, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Based on some local news, it looks like more and more players will likely to join World Baseball Classic next spring.

  From Colorado Rockies, Jason Jennings, who has Team USA experience, definitely want to play again, however he probably won’t have the opportunity. But first baseman Todd Helton, left hand pitcher Jeff Francis and Sunny Kim will like to be asked to join USA, Canada and Korea team.

  From Texas Rangers, shortstop Michael Young appears that he will play for Team USA. Young has already received and responded to a questionnaire about his availability for the WBC, said he’d be willing to even move to second if the Yankees’ Derek Jeter plays short or even be the utility infielder.

  Besides Young, Rangers could be without several key players, including second baseman Alfonso Soriano and reliever Francisco Cordero; both could join the Dominican Republic.

  From Tampa Bay Devil Rays, at least four players could be part of the WBC: Jorge Cantu (Mexico), Jesus Colome (Dominican Republic), Carl Crawford (United States) and Pete LaForest (Canada). The Italian team has inquired about Rocco Baldelli, but he is unlikely to play as he is recovering from elbow surgery.

  Form Kansas City Royals, third baseman Mark Teahen, who has dual citizenship of USA and Canada, original considered by Team Canada, but he decided against playing because its preliminary games would be next March, during the heart of spring training.

  “I thought it would be better if I concentrated and focused on the Royals,” Teahen said. “That’s my No. 1 priority.” “That’s the only reason I was considering it, on behalf of my father. But at this stage of my career, its better I focus on spring training.”

  Prospect outfielder Billy Butler and right-hander Jonah Bayliss could be on the USA Team.

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  Family history in Canadian baseball almost lured Teahen