Mariners say goodbye to big names for WBC

Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Jean Segura were in a bit of a hurry after playing part of a spring training game. The three Seattle Mariners had a plane to catch Saturday to Florida, where their teammates from the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team are convening in preparation to defend their 2013 title.

Segura is in the WBC for the first time. “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.” Saturday and Sunday saw an exodus of Mariners to WBC camps in Florida, or a few miles away in Arizona. Come Monday, it’ll be baseball as usual for the Mariners at spring training. Only without some big names. With the conclusion of Sunday’s games, the Mariners sent 12 players, both major leaguers and minor leaguers, to the WBC. That group, which became a dozen when shortstop Segura was added to the Dominican Republic roster last week in place of Hanley Ramirez, is the largest contingent in the Cactus League. The departures mean the Mariners won’t have their starting middle infield (Cano and Segura), designated hitter (Cruz) and ace (Venezuela’s Felix 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.

“The one thing I can say to the guys going to the WBC is have fun, enjoy yourself, don’t get hurt,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “We have a big year ahead of us, they know that. They’re in good shape, they’re ready to go play. Opportunities for other guys to step up.” If there is any positive to losing so many players, it’s that there will be more innings for the youngsters in spring training games in the days to come. Hernandez made his final start Sunday before heading to nearby Surprise to work out with Team Venezuela. After his three innings and 50 pitches to Oakland - in which he allowed two runs on four hits and struck out five - Hernandez is set to start the WBC opener for his country against Puerto Rico on Friday in Jalisco, Mexico.

He took part in the 2009 WBC, missed 2013 when he landed his big contract and is back this year.

“It’s going to be a fun tournament,” Hernandez said. —AP