Written by Cris Sykes

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Cleveland Indians ace left-hander CC Sabathia has decided to not pitch in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.  CC was one of four starting pitchers selected to the final 30-man roster representing The United States.  CC was named to the team along with Roger Clemens, Jake Peavy and Dontrelle Willis. 

Sabathia decided to pull out of the Classic after his off-season throwing program was restricted because of flooding in his hometown of Fairfield, CA.  He had been unable to do his normal long-toss routine for a stretch over the winter, which caused his arm to not be in shape for the duty of pitching “full go” this early in camp.  After pitching one inning in an intra-squad game in Winter Haven, FL on Tuesday, CC mentioned pulling out as a possibility.  After taking Tuesday night to think about everything involved, he felt the decision to withdraw as being best for him.

Also pulling out of the Classic on Wednesday was Mets closer Billy Wagner.  New York Yankee left-hander Al Leiter is replacing CC, while Washington Nationals reliever Gary Majewski will replace Wagner.  The WBC is scheduled to begin March 2, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan.