Quick notes on major league pitchers
who took part in Tuesday's WBC openers, and subsequent eligibility for later
games this week based on WBC pitch count rules:
United States: All 7 pitchers used by Team
USA threw fewer than 30 pitches in their stint against Mexico. (Jake Peavy 23
pitches, Joe Nathan 16, Mike Timlin 14, Chad Cordero 11, Todd Jones 9, Dan
Wheeler 8, Brad Lidge 6.) With the US getting an off day on Thursday, all seven
can be used both in Wednesday's game against Canada and on Friday against South
Africa. However, Peavy almost certainly will be rested until Sunday unless
there's an emergency.
Mexico: Rodrigo Lopez threw 57 pitches and
is ineligible until Sunday, presuming Mexico advances. The other four pitchers
Mexico used on Tuesday (Elmer Dessens 22 pitches, David Cortes 11, Oscar
Villarreal 6, Ricardo Rincon 6) can be used either on Wednesday against South
Africa, or on Thursday against Canada, but not in both games; expect all four to
be rested on Wednesday, since the Mexico-Canada game likely determines who
advances.
Canada: Erik Bedard threw 55 pitches
against South Africa and is ineligible until Sunday, presuming Canada advances.
The three other Canadian MLB pitchers that faced the Springboks (Chris Reitsma
25 pitches, Jesse Crain 21, Rheal Cormier 17) can be used either on Wednesday
against the US, or on Thursday against Mexico, but not in both games; expect all
three to be rested on Wednesday.
Dominican Republic: Bartolo Colon threw 50
pitches against Venezuela and is ineligible until Sunday. All of the other four
Dominican pitchers that saw action Tuesday all threw less than 50 pitches.
(Miguel Batista 37 pitches, Julian Tavarez 16, Duaner Sanchez 14, Damaso Marte
9.) Since the Dominicans are off Wednesday, all are eligible for their next game
against Italy on Thursday.
Venezuela: Both Johan Santana (61 pitches)
and Carlos Zambrano (56) topped 50 pitches and are both ineligible until Sunday.
Victor Zambrano threw 31 pitches and is ineligible for Wednesday's game against
Italy. Jorge Julio (20 pitches) and Carlos Hernandez (6) can be used either on
Wednesday against Italy, or on Thursday against Australia, but not in both
games. Note that Wednesday's Venezuela-Italy game is now a virtual
winner-moves-on, loser-goes-out game, so both may see action Wednesday if
needed. Venezuela should be a huge favorite, but in one game, anything can happen; just ask another Italian named Mike Eruzione.
Puerto Rico: Javier Vazquez threw 57
pitches against Panama and is ineligible until Sunday. Both Francisco Cabrera
(16 pitches) and Kiko Calero (10) can see action Wednesday because Puerto Rico
is off Thursday.
Italy: The Tigers' Jason Grilli threw 57
pitches in his four-plus shutout innings against Australia and is out until
Sunday should Italy advance.
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