Seattle needs Beltre's bat.The Mariners told Gold Glove third basemen Adrian Beltre he isn't healthy enough to participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
After playing in 143 games last season, Beltre opted to have two surgeries, one to repair a ligament in his left thumb and the other to remove bone spurs in his left, non-throwing shoulder.
A native of the Dominican Repbulic, Beltre said he understood why the decision was made but was still disappointed. Especially after going 2-for-3 in his first spring training game, as a DH, yesterday.
"I gave up my apartment because I was going to go," he said, smiling. "Yes, now I have no place to live. I’m homeless."
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General Manager Jack Zduriencik said Beltre was welcome to stay with him during camp.
“He wanted to play so badly and I wanted to do everything I could to allow him to play—if the circumstances could have been such,” Zduriencik said. “The reason this took a little time was I was sympathetic to his heart. I didn’t want to say no to the guy.”
For the Mariners to be competitive this season Beltre needs to be available to play everyday, Zduriencik said.
"If he’s not right at 100 percent, then we as an organization couldn’t afford to have a setback," he said.
Beltre is scheduled to play third base today against the San Francisco Giants.
Reach Josh Stilts at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
