Choo Shin-soo, a South Korean Major leaguer, will play for his national team at the second World Baseball Classic (WBC) tournament, despite a minor elbow injury, South Korea's baseball governing body said Thursday.
Cleveland Indians outfielder Choo, who joined the squad last week, complained of pain in his left elbow ahead of a warm-up against Japanese club Seibu Lions in Tokyo Monday. Cleveland then demanded that Choo be sent to the United States for further checkups, raising speculation that the Major Leaguer may skip the regional round that started in Tokyo Thursday.
The Korea Baseball Organization said that a WBC sub-commission regarding players' injuries allowed Choo to play at the first round for the tournament only if he runs as a designated batter, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The organization also said that if team Korea advances to the second round to be held in the U.S. starting on March 14, it will decide whether he can play at defense as well as offense.
The 26-year-old batter made his Major League debut with Seattle Mariners in 2005 and was traded to Cleveland in 2006. After elbow surgery, he played 94 games last season, hitting 0.309 with 14 home runs.
Choo, the only leaguer in the squad, is expected to play a key role in the national team in which pitcher Park Chan-ho and infielder Lee Seung-yeop refused to participate due to their vulnerable status in their clubs.
South Korea will meet Taiwan Friday, seeking to repeat its championship glory in the Beijing Olympics and the semifinalist position in the inaugural WBC.