LITTLE ROCK — REDS Cueto blocked
GOODYEAR, Ariz.- The Cincinnati Reds have blocked ace Johnny Cueto from pitching for the Dominican Republic in next month’s World Baseball Classic.
Cueto strained his right oblique eight pitches into last October’s division series against San Francisco. Because he finished the year with an injury, the Reds had the right to block him from playing in the WBC.
“I wanted to pitch for the Dominican but the team said no. It’s all right,” Cueto said Thursday. “I am going to work to get ready for the season. I was ready to pitch. I’m 100 percent.”
Cueto was 19-9 with a 2.78 ERA in 33 starts during the regular season
“I’m not sure happy is the right word. I’m more relieved,” Manager Dusty Baker said. “I understand the pressure for the Latin player to pitch for their country. If he was a 10-game winner instead of a 19-game winner, there wouldn’t be as much pressure.”
The Dominican Republic is in Group C with Puerto Rico, Spain and Venezuela.
“I will be watching the Classic and rooting for the Dominican,” Cueto said.
MARLINS Stanton better
JUPITER, Fla. - Giancarlo Stanton spotted downcast teammate Jose Fernandez in the Miami Marlins’ clubhouse Thursday and flashed him a grin.
“Relax,” Stanton said. “Relax.”
Stanton was feeling better after being hit in the helmet Wednesday by a fastball from Fernandez, the Marlins’ top pitching prospect.
X-rays were negative, there was no sign of a concussion, and Stanton said his vision returned to normal after a few hours. He expects to play in the Marlins’ first spring training game Saturday.
All of that was good news for the Marlins, and especially for the 20-year-old Fernandez, who is in his first major-league spring training camp.
Fernandez said he felt badly about the errant pitch and took some razzing from teammates for beaning the 2012 NL slugging champion. Stanton predicted the situation would ultimately make Fernandez feel more like part of the team.
Stanton said he “pretty loopy” after the beaning, and his peripheral vision was blurry for several hours. He eased back into his training routine and said his primary goal Thursday was to “get back on planet earth.”
Sports, Pages 19 on 02/22/2013