I didn't know insurance reasons were keeping Martin out, but I can't be the only one looking at our depth chart and feeling lucky he's not out there playing SS.

5 of those pitchers are on the "designated pitcher" list, meaning they may not actually participate. Osuna, Happ, Estrada, Campos and Fishman. Teams can only use 2 designated pitchers per round, and can only change between rounds, Happ, for instance, isn't on the USA roster for the 1st round, but could be added for the next round.

Estrada said his back is fine, but he need more time to get his arm ready, so might not pitch in the first round.

Bautista is probably the biggest injury risk for the Jays.

Canada's first game is March 9 against the DR.

As someone who is completely underwhelmed by the prospect of a Carrera/Upton LF platoon, I would rather that Pompey be in the main Jays camp trying to win the LF job outright.

Eric Gagne pitched for the Ottawa Champions this year... but just as a 'one-off'.

Maybe it was meant to see if he was still able to go.

I can't be the only one looking at our depth chart and feeling lucky he's not out there playing SS.

The Canadian pitchers are probably of a similar mind.

I believe Gagne and Dempster both announced some time ago that they'd come out of retirement to pitch for Canada in the tournament.

Does anyone else hope that this is the last we see of the WBC? I doubt that I will spend any time watching it unless there is nothing better to do at the time. I would rather watch a Jays ST game. The big concern for me, however, is that an injury could ruin the major league season for any team that draws the short straw. How would we feel is Osuna is injured pitching in high leverage and stressful situations for Mexico, the opposite to what he would do in ST.

Yeah. I'd rather see the WBC prohibit participation from any players under control by a Major-League organization, kind of the way that the World Cup of Hockey used to be.

It's unlikely to happen at this point, though. Because of several reasons, both commercial and competitive.

The best we can hope for is that more MLB-controlled players will continue to opt out, to protect their future (or present) value.

MLB players in the WBC produce ratings and advertising revenue. And a lot of these players want to represent their respective countries. Nobody is going to stop them from doing that at this point.

I guess I just miss the old days when the national championships represented an opportunity for unsigned players who to showcase their talents and maybe have a shot at organized baseball without having to toil away for years in the independent leagues.

Excuse me while I tell a bunch of no-good punk kids to get off my lawn.

I really wish Roberto Osuna wasn't being put into a position to throw high leverage, high stress innings for Team Mexico in March.

I've really enjoyed the WBC tournament games.  The Japan/Korea clashes especially had dazzling plays if I remember right.

The Jays players might actually be safer on the WBC fields than in the Dunedin facilities.

I think I've seen Osuna throw high-stress pitches just warming up in the bullpen.