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Why Bryce Harper isn't playing tonight for Team USA in WBC originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The United States will take on Italy on Tuesday night in a pivotal game at the World Baseball Classic.
Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper won't be taking part.
Team USA unveiled its lineup, and it'll be Paul Goldschmidt starting at first base and batting seventh.
The full lineup is here:
The U.S. also sits Byron Buxton in favor of Pete Crow-Armstrong in centerfield.
MORE: This Mets phenom ate 900 raw eggs in a month to develop his 100 MPH fastball
Why isn't Bryce Harper playing tonight?
Harper isn't playing Tuesday night against Italy in order to get Goldschmidt a start before pool play concludes.
It's likely that simple, although there would be other ways to try and read into this.
Harper has started not particularly hot -- he's just 2-for-9 with two singles so far in the WBC.
It's not a handedness thing. Italy is starting right-hander Michael Lorenzen.
This almost certainly is to let Goldy play, but it is a big game. Harper seems likely to be available off the bench if needed.
More MLB news:
- Team USA has a finalized WBC roster and an awesome lineup
- Dominican Republic WBC roster is loaded with stars
- An Edwin Diaz nightmare looms for the Mets
- Buster Posey will change Hall of Fame voting forever
- How Jose Ramirez is on pace to become Cleveland's Derek Jeter
- Phillies' phenom has an MLB All-Star father
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