USA's Teixera to miss WBC with arm injury

PHOENIX, Arizona (AFP) –

Mark Teixeira of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice at Comerica Park on October 16, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. Teixeira is out of the World Baseball Classic after suffering a strained right forearm during Team USA’s batting practice on Tuesday.

New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is out of the World Baseball Classic after suffering a strained right forearm during Team USA’s batting practice on Tuesday.

Teixeira was expected to start at first base for Team USA but he injured his forearm while getting ready to play an exibition game against the Chicago White Sox.

The team said Teixeira was scratched after experiencing tightness on the inside of his right forearm. Tampa Bay Rays Ben Zobrist replaced Teixeira at first base.

Teixeira was examined by team doctors and X-rays came up negative.

Team USA begins pool play in the WBC against Mexico on Friday.

Pool play began in Asia at the weekend and reigning champions Japan, Taiwan, the Netherlands and Cuba have already secured their second round berths.

Two teams from the Asian second round will contest the final series in San Francisco later this month.

Canada, Mexico and Italy will join the host United States in first-round Pool D at Phoenix while Puerto Rico will host Pool C rivals Dominican Republic, Spain and Venezuela.

The top two from each North American pool advance to a second-round group at Miami that will send two teams to the semi-finals.