Puerto Rico WBC team looking for a closer

(El Nuevo Dia): "Wanted a taponero (closer, plugger). Puerto Rico may not count in the World Baseball Classic with rights reliever Fernando Cabrera, Kiko Calero and Jonathan Albaladejo, while still unresolved situation lefty JC Romero.

• The general manager of the ninth, Lou Melendez, confirmed yesterday that the three skilled pitchers, who were injured much of last season and underwent surgery, could not be assured that their contracts, which were discarded.

"For a major league player to play in the World Classic, it is necessary to cover the payment of its contracts with insurance. Today (yesterday) was the deadline for resolving this matter, and if these players, was not achieved and were ineligible. Unfortunately this is final, can not be appealed, because that is the agreement between the union and Major League Baseball players, "said Melendez, reporting that the receiver Jorge Posada ran the same fate but, anyway, it was doubtful his participation.

• "There is a rule that if you are disabled more than 90 days, you can not play. This could have been my first opportunity, but may not be. Neither the Yankees nor I have control, "Posada told the AFP yesterday.

The recipient of the Yankees lost a good part of 2008 by a right shoulder injury.

Another player who faced this situation is Mike Lowell (hip operation),

• who nevertheless "will be among the 45 (preliminary roster). So far, no problem with him and will be on the team.

• The only thing that can prevent your team is playing (Boston Red Sox) is opposed by medical reasons, but we do not know if that will happen, "said Melendez.

In the roster Romero About Romero, who faces a suspension of 50 games by Major League Baseball doping, Melendez said that included in the roster.

• "I have not yet said anything, but the rule is clear that the suspension is official Major League games. I will submit his name and declared ineligible if they then have to give me the opportunity to include another player. "

With low Albajadejo, Calero and Cabrera and Romero uncertainties are right Saul "choirboy" Rivera and lefty Pedro Feliciano as the main figures of the bullpen. Rights must also be grandesligas Nelson Figueroa and Ian Snell and lefty Javier López, but none specializes in close games. Other pitchers with a good chance of being in the team are Giancarlo Alvarado, Ivan Maldonado, Federico Baez and Joshua Matos.

"Obviously it is a difficult situation because they are all important pieces in the team, but we have many young people who can be there and help," he added.

• Ironically, both Cabrera and Albaladejo lucieron this season fully recovered from two operations on his elbow.

In the regular series with Mayagüez, Albaladejo, who belongs to the New York Yankees, was the leader in saves at 14 and allowed just a clean race in 22 innings. While Cabrera, the Ponce Lions, who recently signed with Boston, also barely tolerated in a clean race with 12 entries 22.1 ransoms.

• The official list of 45 players for pre-will be released Monday at 7:00 pm in a special broadcast

• of MLB Network, the new channel 24 hours of baseball, and with the participation of the aguadillano Carlos Delgado." google translation from Spanish

MLB.com article aims to make Yankees villains in Posada deal. MLB.com should be closed down in my opinion. Let MLB.com pay Posada's contract. This kind of article should make it apparent that MLB and MLB.com are not to be trusted on any issue of any kind.

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