Zach Buchanan

zbuchanan@enquirer.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Cincinnati Reds second baseman Dilson Herrera has pulled out of his commitment to Team Colombia and the World Baseball Classic after experiencing right shoulder soreness that will prevent him from throwing for the next several days. He said he first felt the discomfort a week ago.

“It’s very important to work on my shoulder and be ready," Herrera said. "We’ve got to do it right. It’s right to get ready for the season and stay healthy.”

Shoulder issues also sidelined Herrera after he was acquired by the Reds at last year's deadline, although he was able to return by the end of the season. He first experienced the problems a year ago, when he was in spring training with the New York Mets.

Despite that long history of having the same problem over and over, Herrera is not concerned with his long-term shoulder health.

“It was a little bit tight," he said. "I’ve been working hard on my shoulder so I think I will be alright really soon.”

Reds manager Bryan Price said Herrera can still hit and take grounders, and that he'll serve as the designated hitter in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cleveland Indians in Goodyear. The 22-year-old won't resume throwing until Monday at the earliest.

Price said Herrera had received a battery of tests to determine the underlying issues of the shoulder, but nothing serious was found. He wasn't sure if Herrera had received any kind of anti-inflammatory shot, although it'd be uncommon to take that step in spring training.

Earlier in the spring, Price expressed his general wish that young players looking to crack the roster not take development time away from the team to play in the World Baseball Classic, but on Friday emphasized that he'd never ask a player to not honor a commitment to their home country's team.

"That's just my general opinion on the WBC," Price said. "I would not bring someone in here and convince them not to represent their country."