Márquez (hamstring) off Venezuela's roster for first round

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies right-hander Germán Márquez expressed disappointment that a left hamstring injury will keep him off Venezuela's roster for the first round of the World Baseball Classic, but he is maintaining hope that he'll be able to participate in the second round.

The injury occurred during conditioning drills about a week ago, and the decision to pull out of the first round was made over the past couple days after discussions with Colorado's medical and training staffs, as well as manager Bud Black.

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"I'm sad and disappointed," said Márquez, who has not thrown a bullpen session in Spring Training but is playing catch and jogged on Friday morning. "I wanted to be in the World Baseball Classic, but I have to do my recovery and be healthy to start the season."

"We're fortunate in a lot of ways, and Germán realizes this, that it's the middle of February and not the middle of March," Black said. "This sets him back a little bit from the work that he needs to do presently to get ready for those first games with Venezuela."

Márquez said he should begin throwing bullpen sessions next week, and if Venezuela needs him for the second round, he would like to go, though he needs to talk to the Rockies' decision makers.

Last season, Márquez went 9-13 with a 4.95 ERA, finishing strong after a poor start. His injury leaves lefty Kyle Freeland (USA) as the only Rockies starting pitcher in the Classic. Other Colorado players set to participate include: shortstop Alan Trejo (Mexico); catcher Elias Díaz (Colombia); relief pitchers Daniel Bard (USA), Jake Bird (Israel) and Justin Lawrence (Panama); and Minor League pitcher Michael Petersen (Great Britain).