MIAMI — Barry Larkin will pinch hit as manager today for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, and he says he’d be interested in a full-time job as a skipper.
“If I could get players like these guys, absolutely,” Larkin said Friday following the team’s workout in preparation for the start of round two.
Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Chipper Jones & Co. will face Puerto Rico tonight.
The surprising Netherlands will play Venezuela in the opening game.
Larkin will fill in for U.S. manager Davey Johnson, who is in St. Petersburg, Fla., to attend the wedding of his stepson and is expected to rejoin the team Sunday.
“I’m excited, but this is Davey Johnson’s team,” said Larkin, a 12-time all-star shortstop whose only managerial experience was with an Italian youth squad. “Davey has a game plan. I’m going to execute the game plan.”
That plan includes starting Jake Peavy, who struggled through his opening start last Saturday against Canada. The right-hander walked three and allowed two runs in three innings, throwing 58 pitches.
Woman alleges Williams hit her
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A woman filed a complaint against former Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams for allegedly hitting her at a nightclub while she took his picture.
Officer Angel Nazario said the woman claimed Williams snatched the camera, damaged it and hit her in the face. The incident allegedly happened around 2:30 a.m. Thursday at a San Juan nightclub, hours after Williams, who denies any wrongdoing, and his Puerto Rican teammates beat the Netherlands 5-0 in the WBC.
Footnotes.
Right-hander Julian Tavarez has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Nationals. The 35-year-old is 85-75 with 22 saves and a 4.45 ERA over 16 seasons with 10 major-league clubs.
• Outfielder Jay Gibbons was released by the Marlins, a setback in his bid to revive his career after admitting he used human growth hormone.
• Twins catcher Joe Mauer, the two-time American League batting champion, will see a doctor in Baltimore today to get a second opinion on his ailing back.
• Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano (shoulder) and reliever Damaso Marte (chest) are scheduled to be examined by doctors today and won’t immediately play after rejoining the team following the WBC. The Associated Press
