My 12-year old wondered what the problem was with the top U.S. pitchers.
His logic is that Team USA plays in either Arizona or Florida, where all big league pitchers already are in Spring Training, so they don't even have to travel. Plus, the WBC has strict pitch limits -- just like MLB clubs "taking care of" their arms, stretching them out, a little more each time.
He asked, "Are they afraid of themselves being too competitive, trying to throw a million miles per hour for their country... or are they just afraid?"