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Report: Liam Hendriks withdraws from WBC

Ed Zurga / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It appears Team Australia will be without one of its best relievers when the World Baseball Classic gets underway on March 8, as Liam Hendriks has withdrawn from the tournament.

The 28-year-old right-hander is apparently not dealing with an injury and has simply decided against participating, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who cites a source.

Hendriks was one of the few major-league pitchers on Australia's 28-man roster and was expected to be relied on heavily in the tournament. A corresponding move has not yet been announced.

He appeared in 53 games last season with the Oakland Athletics, tailoring a 3.76 ERA and 1.28 WHIP while averaging 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Hendriks also led all Athletics relievers with 71 strikeouts.

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