Major League Baseball

Hosmer replaces injured Teixeira

Published Mar. 6, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

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Eric Hosmer has replaced Mark Teixeira as the everyday first baseman for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

USA Baseball confirmed the news Wednesday morning. Team USA has one more exhibition game, Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies, before opening tournament play Friday against Team Mexico.

''It's a great opportunity,'' Hosmer told The Associated Press on Wednesday. ''Any chance you get to represent your country, you're going to jump at the opportunity. So I'm very excited.''

Team USA wanted a left-handed batter who does not strike out often, and Hosmer fits that description. He is having an outstanding spring with the Kansas City Royals — which matters in a short tournament such as this.

''I certainly feel bad for Tex, but it's one of those things, it just seems like it's unavoidable,'' U.S. manager Joe Torre said Tuesday. ''You never want to wish a thing like this upon any player, especially here in spring training.''

Teixeira was removed from the roster after straining his right wrist Tuesday. He flew to New York City and was to be evaluated further Wednesday by Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and hand specialist Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday night in Tampa, Fla., that Teixeira would be out a minimum of 10 days.

Hosmer had a sensational rookie season in 2011, hitting .293 with 19 homers and 78 RBIs in 128 games. But he endured a maddening sophomore slump a year ago, his average plummeting to .232 with 14 homers and 60 RBIs in his first full season in the big leagues.

''I don't know what the situation is or what my role is going to be,'' Hosmer said, ''but I'll get over there and find out. I'm excited to get started.''

He worked with his brother in the offseason on his swing, though, and the changes appear to have helped. He's 9 for 23 with a homer and eight RBIs in nine spring training games.

''Hopefully I can carry that over, absolutely,'' Hosmer said.

Hosmer will be joining a roster that doesn't have another true first baseman. Joe Mauer can play the position, but he's also one of the team's catchers. Ben Zobrist and Willie Bloomquist are versatile players who also have experience at first base, but could be needed elsewhere.

And he'll also be joining a roster managed by Torre, now an MLB executive vice president.

''When it comes to managing in baseball, that's one of the first names you think of,'' Hosmer said. ''It'll be a pretty fun experience with the amount of talent.''

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said it was an honor for Hosmer to be called up by the U.S. team. He'll be joining Royals left-hander Tim Collins, who is already on the roster.

''I found out late last night what the situation was, and we wondered what they'd do,'' Moore told the AP. ''I think it's great to be able to get that honor, and I think he'll represent Team USA, and I think it's a good thing.''

It won't be the first time that Hosmer has represented his country.

Hosmer was one of six Royals farmhands who played in qualifying for the 2010 Pan American Games tournament. He hit .389 with a homer and seven RBIs during the competition.

''Just hearing the national anthem on the line, and looking up and down the line and seeing the 24 guys you're representing your country with, there's no better feeling than that,'' Hosmer said, ''and I couldn't be more excited to see these guys.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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