I didn't mention this yesterday when I originally posted the story, but Robinson Cano did not tell the Yankees about his injury before leaving for the WBC. Joe Girardi said, “It was a shock to me.”
Damaso Marte was injured while lifting weights on Tuesday, and Girardi was pretty upset about that.
"He said he felt OK to pitch, and now he's sore," Girardi said with some annoyance. "I don't completely understand what he was doing lifting [weights]."
Neither do I. I also wonder what would have happened had the Dominican Republic gone further in the WBC. Would Cano and Marte still be playing with their injuries? You have to assume they would have.
And what happens if their injuries had gotten worse? Were these two idiots really willing to potentially put their season in jeopardy for this tournament? I think they were, and for that they should both be fined. Heavily.
Cano should also be fined for not disclosing his injury, and Marte should be fined for lifting weights without being granted permission from the Yankees.
Jake Peavy said the other day that he was "going to empty the tank for the boys," when he pitches tonight against Puerto Rico. Do you really want a pitcher to be "emptying the tank" in mid-March?
I know if I was his manager I wouldn't. Luckily for him, the Padres season is over before it begins, so this is pretty much going to be his World Series this year. Still, no pitchers should be emptying their tanks this early in spring training.
This is the problem with the WBC. Not only is it played at the wrong time of year, but the players involved lose sight of their priorities. I know they take pride in playing for their country, but they must realize that they have an obligation to the team that pays their bills.
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