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A’s Liam Hendriks bows out of WBC with Team Australia

MESA, Ariz. – A’s reliever Liam Hendriks badly wanted to pitch in the World Baseball Classic for Australia.

At least for now, however, he’s going to skip the first round for Team Australia, which is playing in the Tokyo regional.

“I’ve been wanting to go in my heart since (the announcement) came out,” Hendriks said Saturday at the A’s camp before the Cactus League opener down the road against the Cubs. “When I really sat down and thought about it, I’m not really where I want to be to be pitching in competitive games yet.

#Athletics manager Bob Melvin talks about Liam Hendriks' decision to pass on first round of WBC in Japan.