Ji-Man Choi will not play in the World Baseball Classic next month, with the Pirates citing health concerns after he had surgery on his right elbow last November.
The news comes from Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency, a Korean news outlet, who reports that Choi is "deeply hurt" to be dropped from the team.
"I was healthy enough to take live batting practice recently," Choi said in a released statement through his agency. "I am extremely disappointed and deeply hurt, because I was building up nicely for the national team training camp in the middle of this month and the first round of the WBC."
Choi, 31, was acquired from the Rays at the end of the general manager meetings in November. Later that month, he underwent what general manager Ben Cherington referred to as the time as a "minor" procedure to alleviate an elbow issue that seemed to linger most of last season.
"Based on the total information we have, we feel good about him going into next year," Cherington said about Choi's injury in November.
Choi was brought in to shore up first base and designated hitter for the Pirates this season. He was the only player who was arbitration eligible who did not settle with the club. Choi filed at $5.4 million, while the club filed at $4.65 million.
Arbitration hearings run through Feb. 17, three days before the Pirates' first full-squad workout. He is set to be a free agent at the end of this season.
Choi slashed .233/.341/.388 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs over 113 games for the Rays last season.
The World Baseball Classic will take place from March 8-21, which is normally prime spring training time.
While the Pirates have some pending invitations that have not been announced or decided yet, they will have at least three pitchers participate. David Bednar will pitch for Team USA, and Duane Underwood Jr. will play for team Puerto Rico.
Additionally, according to a report by Martin Rodriguez, Roansy Contreras will pitch for the Dominican Republic's team. The full rosters are expected to be released in the coming days.
