Choo set to play as designated hitter in WBC

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS Choo's comment in 5th para)
SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Major Leaguer Choo Shin-soo will play for
his national team at the second World Baseball Classic (WBC) tournament despite a
minor elbow injury, South Korea's baseball governing body said Thursday.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Choo, who joined South Korea's national squad last
week, said Monday that his left elbow was aching ahead of a warm-up against
Japanese club Seibu Lions. Cleveland demanded that Choo be sent to the United
States for further tests, forcing him to miss the regional round in Tokyo that
starts Thursday.
The Korea Baseball Organization said a WBC sub-commission regarding players'
injuries decided to allow Choo to play in the first round, but only as a
designated hitter.
It also said that if the Korean team advances to the second round, held in the
U.S. starting on March 14, it would decide whether to allow him to play in the
regular lineup.
"I'm happy that I can play for the team. I'll do my best," Choo told reporters
after an official training session in Tokyo. "I am so sorry to other players on
the team."
The 26-year-old batter made his Major League debut with the Seattle Mariners in
2005 and was traded to Cleveland in 2006. After elbow surgery, he played 94 games
last season, hitting 0.309 with 14 home runs.
Choo, the only major leaguer in the squad, is expected to play a big role on the
national team after pitcher Park Chan-ho and infielder Lee Seung-yeop declined to
participate due to their shakey status with their own Major League clubs.
South Korea will meet Taiwan on Friday as it hopes to repeat its performance in
the Beijing Olympics last year. South Korea reached the semifinals during the
inaugural WBC tournament in 2006.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)