Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers may not be able to play for Korea in the World Baseball Classic in March next year, as his club plans to ask the WBC's governing body to keep him out of the event.

The Dallas News reported on Wednesday the Rangers will make the request for four of the club's players -- Choo, Venezuela's Elvis Andrus and Robinson Chirinos, and Japan's Yu Darvish -- "because of their recent history of injuries."

Choo has said it would be a big honor for him to participate in the international tournament. He returned home last month following the end of the U.S. season. He was plagued by injury throughout the season but managed to regain some form toward the end.

The WBC's governing group will make a decision in mid-January. "If the WBC rejects a club's appeal, the player decides if he wants to participate," according to the Dallas News.

Inaugurated in 2006, the WBC is hosted by the Major League Baseball organization, but there have often been jitters over player selection between the governing group and MLB clubs.

Choo's possible omission is casts further clouds on Korea's prospects, as some top players have already been excluded from its roster. Kim Kwang-hyun of the SK Wyverns and Lee Yong-chan of the Doosan Bears were taken off the list due to injury. Kang Jung-ho of the Pittsburgh Pirate is also likely to be excluded over his recent booking for drunk driving, and Chung Geun-woo of the Hanwha Eagles is recovering from knee surgery.