Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki still is mulling whether to represent his country in the World Baseball Classic.
Team Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama said Tuesday at the winter meetings that the team will give Suzuki as much time as possible to decide — even if that means his decision lingers into February.
“I’m really just waiting on his response,” Kuriyama said through an interpreter. “It’s been a rocky year with everything — health concerns, playing time, everything considered. Really we’re waiting on the club, we’re waiting on everything on his side of the response.
“There’s no doubt he’s the No. 1 outfielder in Japan and we really want him to play on this team.”
Kuriyama wouldn’t say if it’s an all-or-nothing situation for Suzuki to commit to playing in the entire WBC or whether he could participate in part of it. The semifinals and final are scheduled for March 19-21 in Miami, while Japan’s pool play (March 9-13) and quarterfinals (March 15-16) will be played in Toyko.
Although rules have not been officially determined for in-tournament roster changes, according to Kuriyama, it appears the only time players can be replaced will be going into the semifinal round and it will be limited to pitchers.
Kuriyama said he has not communicated much with Suzuki about the looming decision. He declined to discuss whether anyone from Team Japan has made a pitch to Suzuki on why he should play for his country in the WBC.
“Personally I want Seiya to join as many games as possible,” Kuriyama said. “So I want him (with us) from the beginning.
“I will tell players that we’ve all replaced players from the beginning if they’re not performing well. And he’s a part of it as well. So I’m just going to try my best to win the whole tournament.”
Suzuki, 28, is coming off an uneven rookie season. He started hot in April, winning National League Rookie of the Month honors, but a fluky left ring finger sprain on an awkward slide into second base in late May in Cincinnati sidelined him 35 games. After he returned, Suzuki hit .270/.332/.434 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles and 25 RBIs over his final 70 games.
“Ultimately I’ll support whatever he decides he wants to do,” Cubs President Jed Hoyer said last month at the general manager meetings. “In a perfect world, you’d be able to prepare completely for our season but also represent his country.”
