Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Jean Segura were in a bit of a hurry after playing part of a spring training game over the weekend for the Seattle Mariners.
They had to catch a plane to Florida, where their teammates from the Dominican Republic were convening for the World Baseball Classic to defend their 2013 title.
“It’s going to be really fun for us being around those guys,” Segura said of his countrymen. “It’s something we’re going to give our all to, for sure.”
Ace pitcher Felix Hernandez was among 12 players, including both major leaguers and minor leaguers, the Mariners sent to the WBC.
The departures mean the Mariners won’t have their starting middle infield (Cano and Segura), designated hitter (Cruz) and Hernandez for anywhere from eight to 18 days. Additionally, two more starting pitchers are in the WBC, though Drew Smyly won’t go unless Team USA makes the second round, and closer Edwin Diaz will join Team Puerto Rico at its camp in nearby Scottsdale, Arizona.