A mere 13,000 or so paying customers witnessed Team USA’s stirring come-from-behind victory over Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic last night, a dogpile-riffic result that will serve as silm consolation for those Red Sox fans learning of Kevin Youkilis’ WBC-related injury. From the Boston Globe’s Chad Finn :
Kevin Youkilis will miss the remainder of the WBC with a mild left ankle sprain and mild Achilles tendinitis in his left foot, the Red Sox said tonight in a statement. The slugging first baseman left the team and returned to Fort Myers, Fla., where he was examined.
The Red Sox also said Youkilis’s MRI results were negative and that he would wear a walking boot to limit movement in the area and allow it to heal. The team does not expect him to miss significant time.
According to the statement from the Red Sox, “Youkilis originally experienced some pain in his left ankle several days ago and it worsened in last night™s game vs. Team Puerto Rico. He will no longer participate in the World Baseball Classic and will return to Red Sox camp tomorrow.
According to a report by ESPN.com’s Amy K. Nelson, Team USA manager Davey Johnson said the injury happened three or four days ago, and that he noticed Youkilis was in pain during last night’s 6-5 victory over Puerto Rico.
“He wasn’t going to miss last night’s game for the world,” Johnson said.
Adam Dunn was slated to play first base Wednesday night in Team USA’s game against Venezuela to determine seedings for the semifinals. But the Washington Nationals would prefer Dunn remain in the outfield, Johnson said. Utilityman Mark DeRosa is on the roster, but the Cleveland Indians don’t want him playing first, Johnson said.