Choo May Not Play for Korea at WBC
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
The South Korean team's only major leaguer Choo Shin-soo may not play for his country at the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
According to a team official, the Cleveland Indians general manager, Mark Shapiro, asked for the return of outfielder Choo, Wednesday.
``Send Choo to the United States. And then our team doctor will check his condition,'' Shapiro told the Korean team.
The 26-year-old Korean complained of pain in his elbow during batting practice just before an exhibition game Monday against the Seibu Lions of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Choo missed the encounter and one against the Yomiuri Giants, Tuesday.
A Major League Baseball (MLB) bureau organized a WBC medical committee, composed of three people, and listened to the opinion of the Washington Nationals' team doctor, Bruce Thomas, one of the three, who is charged with supervising players' health in the Asia round ― and he already checked Choo's elbow.
The Korean players official agreed with the doctor's diagnosis that Choo could play as a designated hitter, but because the other two committee members are located in the United States and have yet to be reached, the decision is expected to be decided early today.
``Though the MLB bureau sent some trainers and doctors, the final decision will come from the United States committee,'' South Korea team manager Kim In-sik said.
``Choo may be allowed to be designated hitter or pinch hitter, but his appearance is still unknown,'' added Kim
``Until now, we have taken care of Choo very carefully. Though this issue can be an international one, we also respect the opinion of the Indians, because he is a part of Cleveland.''
With Dr. Thomas looking on, Choo took practice, catching only fly balls.