Captain Mexico

TUCSON, Ariz. — Right-handed pitcher Esteban Loaiza will represent Mexico in the World Baseball Classic once again.

However, this time around, he’ll do it from the dugout and not on the mound. Loaiza, a member of Mexico’s rotation in 2006, will not pitch in this year’s version because of a shoulder injury, but he was named the team’s honorary captain.

“This team is more experienced than the team I played [on]. We have a lot of guys that have played in the United States, Mexican League and the Mexican Pacific League,” Loaiza, 37, said. “There are a lot of players in our country that want to be on this team, so I know everybody is going to go out there and give their full effort.”

The Mexican team will work out for two days at the Kino Sports Complex before taking on the Diamondbacks in an exhibition game on Wednesday. Mexico will face the Rockies on Thursday and travel to Hermosillo, Mexico, for another game against the Diamondbacks. Mexico will open up World Baseball Classic play on Sunday against Australia at Mexico City’s Foro del Sol in Pool B play. South Africa and Cuba are also in Pool B.

“It’s not about the team you play for in the regular season, it’s about Mexico here,” Loaiza said. “We have a competitive team, and hopefully we can win the tournament.”

Loaiza started last season with the Dodgers and went 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA in 24 innings before he was released on June 2. Two days later, he was signed by the White Sox but released the next month after a stint on the disabled list and only three appearances.

The free agent had season-ending shoulder surgery three weeks ago and is currently rehabbing in San Diego. He said he wants to pitch again in the United States or in Mexico in 2010. For his career, Loaiza is 126-114 with a 4.65 ERA in 377 games starting in 1995.

“This is a really special honor for me, and I’ll do whatever possible to help the Mexican team get to the top and hopefully be the champion,” Loaiza said. “My preference is to have a uniform on and be in the clubhouse with the rest of the players, but injuries happen. You never know what is going to happen in baseball.”