Catcher Russell Martin Quits WBC

Russell Martin is a catcher. Russell Martin is actually a pretty good catcher, making three All Star games at the position. Russell Martin has always been a catcher, playing either that position or DH in 876 or 894 career games. We remind you about all of those fact because Russell Martin, a catcher, has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic because he will not be able to play shortstop.

According to a report from MLB.com, Martin decided not to play for Team Canada in this year’s version of the WBC because both that team, and his own Pittsburgh club, refuse to let him play shortstop for the first time in the Classic. The move left team Canada short their expected starting catcher, and teammates confused on why a career backstop would suddenly want to play middle infield. We would understand his desire to replace journeyman Pete Orr at short if it improved the team, but Martin’s replacement at catcher was Chris Robinson, a career minor leaguer.