Smoltz pulls out of World Classic

ATLANTA - While Major League Baseball awaits word on whether Cuba will be allowed to play in the World Baseball Classic, Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz says he probably won't be pitching for the United States in the tournament.

Smoltz was quoted as saying in Tuesday's editions of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he's not likely to play.

The 38-year-old, who has had four operations on his right elbow, pitched through shoulder pain in the Braves' first-round playoff loss to Houston. He says he has no pain now but doesn't want to rush his preparation in the spring.

"I'm pretty confident, about 100 percent, that I'm not going to be playing in the World Classic," Smoltz was quoted as saying.

Atlanta starter Jorge Sosa (Dominican Republic) and reliever Chris Reitsma (Canada) have agreed to play in the event.

Coming off a foot injury that shortened his season, third baseman Chipper Jones has committed to represent the United States. Outfielder Andruw Jones, runner-up in the 2005 MVP voting, plans to play for the Netherlands.

Also Tuesday, baseball spokesman Rich Levin said the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control still hasn't ruled on the revised application to allow Cuba to participate.

Aldo Notari, the president of the sport's world governing body, the International Baseball Federation, last week sent the commissioner's office and the players' association a letter saying the federation won't sanction the event if Cuba is excluded.