MESA, Ariz. - As for John Axford pitching in the World Baseball Classic, never mind.
The reliever was the latest A’s player to pull out of the WBC, and it came a day after he spoke about the glory of wearing “Canada” across his chest.
Manager Bob Melvin made the announcement before Friday’s workout at HoHoKam Stadium, and Axford is expected to address the media before the A’s-Giants exhibition, which begins at noon.
“I support him completely,” Melvin said.
Other A’s to pull out of the WBC included Sonny Gray, Khris Davis and Liam Hendrix.