Colorado Rockies right-hander German Marquez has pulled out of the first round of the World Baseball Classic due to a left hamstring injury.
His homeland of Venezuela is scheduled to compete in pool play from March 11-15.
Marquez said it is possible he could compete for Venezuela in the second round if the team is still alive and his hamstring heals. Either way, he is expected to be fully recovered by the time the Rockies open the regular season on March 30 against the host San Diego Padres.
"I'm sad and disappointed," Marquez told reporters. "I wanted to be in the World Baseball Classic, but I have to do my recovery and be healthy to start the season."
The injury happened during a recent conditioning drill.
Marquez, 27, went 9-13 with a 4.95 ERA in 31 starts last season. Overall, he is 63-54 with a 4.40 ERA in 172 games (169 starts) over seven seasons in Colorado.
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