With the World Baseball Classic a matter of days away, the pitching staff of Team Mexico apparently took a hit Wednesday.
Left-hander Jaime Garcia has decided to pass on the event, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, who cites an ESPN Deportes report.
After two innings of work for the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, Garcia told reporters he would wait a day to make a formal decision, but he's apparently already made up his mind.
The 30-year-old was expected to bring a plethora of experience to a Mexican pitching staff that includes fellow major leaguers Roberto Osuna, Yovani Gallardo, Jorge De La Rosa, and Sergio Romo.
Before Garcia came to the Braves in an offseason trade, he spent his entire eight-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, fashioning a 62-45 record with a 3.57 ERA during 158 appearances, 147 of which were starts.
Mexico plays its first game of the classic Mar. 9 against Italy.
