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SPORTS Monday 6 March 2017
Mariners say goodbye to big names for WBC

JOSE M. ROMERO know that. They’re in good second inning Saturday,
Associated Press shape, they’re ready to go Cano and Cruz were the
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Robin- play. Opportunities for oth- first two players out of the
son Cano, Nelson Cruz and er guys to step up.” dugout to slap hands with
Jean Segura were in a bit If there is any positive to him.
of a hurry after playing part losing so many players, it’s Zunino, in turn, took a mo-
of a spring training game. that there will be more in- ment to wish his team-
The three Seattle Mariners nings for the youngsters in mates luck at the WBC be-
had a plane to catch Sat- spring training games in the fore exiting the clubhouse.
urday to Florida, where days to come. NOTES: Hernandez said of
their teammates from Hernandez made his final his Sunday start, the sec-
the Dominican Repub- start Sunday before head- ond of spring training: “It
lic World Baseball Classic ing to nearby Surprise to was good, first inning was a
team are convening in work out with Team Ven- little rough, but after that,
preparation to defend their ezuela. it was fine. Last inning was
2013 title. After his three innings and really good.” Hernandez
Segura is in the WBC for the 50 pitches to Oakland — in said he threw mainly fast-
first time. which he allowed two runs balls and struggled with
“It’s going to be really fun on four hits and struck out his change-up and fastball
for us being around those five — Hernandez is set to location in the first inning,
guys,” Segura said of his start the WBC opener for but that it improved. He al-
countrymen. “It’s some- his country against Puerto lowed a run on three hits in Seattle Mariners’ Nelson Cruz, left, and Robinson Cano talk in
thing we’re going to give Rico on Friday in Jalisco, two innings in his first spring the dugout during spring training baseball practice Thursday,
Feb. 23, 2017, in Peoria, Ariz.
our all to, for sure.” Mexico. start.q Associated Press
Saturday and Sunday saw He took part in the 2009
an exodus of Mariners to WBC, missed 2013 when
WBC camps in Florida, or he landed his big contract
a few miles away in Ari- and is back this year.
zona. Come Monday, it’ll “It’s going to be a fun tour-
be baseball as usual for nament,” Hernandez said.
the Mariners at spring train- “It’s really important to give
ing. Only without some big Venezuela a victory af-
names. ter everything that is hap-
With the conclusion of Sun- pening and the situation
day’s games, the Mariners there being so bad. A win
sent 12 players, both major for Venezuela would be
leaguers and minor leagu- meaningful.”
ers, to the WBC. Saturday’s starting pitcher,
That group, which became Yovani Gallardo, took the
a dozen when shortstop short walk to the other side
Segura was added to the of the Peoria Sports Com-
Dominican Republic roster plex to join Team Mexico.
last week in place of Han- Gallardo was tagged for
ley Ramirez, is the largest four earned runs in one in-
contingent in the Cactus ning of work in his first spring
League. start, but struck out three
The departures mean in three scoreless innings
the Mariners won’t have against Colorado.
their starting middle infield He’s in line to start Mexico’s
(Cano and Segura), des- WBC opener against Italy
ignated hitter (Cruz) and in Jalisco on Thursday.
ace (Venezuela’s Felix Gallardo has never pitched
Hernandez) for anywhere in Mexico, and said he’s a
from eight to 18 days. Ad- little nervous but looks for-
ditionally, two more start- ward to the competition.
ing pitchers are in the “You get together with oth-
WBC, though Drew Smyly er guys that are from that
won’t go unless Team USA same country, get every-
makes the second round, body in one room and it’s
and closer Edwin Diaz will exciting,” said Gallardo,
join Team Puerto Rico at who pitched in the 2013
its camp in nearby Scotts- WBC. “Very, very competi-
dale. tive from the first pitch on to
“The one thing I can say the last pitch.”
to the guys going to the Part of what the Mariners
WBC is have fun, enjoy will be missing when Cano
yourself, don’t get hurt,” and Cruz are gone is the
Mariners manager Scott leadership they provide.
Servais said. “We have a When catcher Mike Zunino
big year ahead of us, they homered in the top of the