According to New York Post, Catcher Jorge Posada wants to play for his country Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic, but New York Yankees said No.
Yankees already petitioned MLB requesting that their catcher not play because the club believed Posada was indispensable and was concerned the extra heavy workload might cause injury.
“As a courtesy I called the Yankees to advise them that Jorge wanted to participate in the World Baseball Classic,” agent Seth Levinson said. “The Yankees filed an objection that was accepted and Jorge was not eligible despite his desire to play.”
“I wanted to play since my family is from Puerto Rico, it’s where I am from and I was excited,” Posada who wants to make his family proud, told New York Post. “I was the first one to ask for the documents. I can’t do anything about it. The Yankees have the last word. I respect that and I will prepare for spring training like I always do.”
Teams are allowed to file objections to their players’ participation, which are heard by a technical committee. “We filed on many, some were rejected,” general manager Brian Cashman said.
The Puerto Rican baseball federation did not fight the objection because of its depth at Catcher, Sandy Alomar Jr., Ivan Rodriguez and the Molina brothers, Bengie, Jose and Yadier.
Third baseman Alex Rodriguez, shortstop Derek Jeter and second baseman Robinson Cano have agreed to play and outfielder Hideki Matsui might represent Japan. Left-hander Al Leiter is also on the first list announced on December 5th which includes 177 players.
The Yankees aren’t the only club to file an objection. Seattle Mariners, who have restricted young right-hander Felix Hernandez for total 190 innings, include Major, Minor League and Spring Training, against Felix to play World Baseball Classic.
