Jupiter, Florida – A calf injury has cast a shadow over St. Louis Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien’s anticipated participation in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), where he was slated to pitch for South Korea.
O’Brien, a half-Korean player, sustained the injury during a live bullpen session on at the Cardinals’ spring training facility, according to MLB.com. The right-hander has not thrown off a mound since. While O’Brien described the strain as “mild,” his availability for the tournament remains uncertain, particularly with South Korea scheduled to play exhibition games in Osaka leading up to the WBC’s opening day in Tokyo.
“It felt better today than it did yesterday,” O’Brien said, as reported by MLB.com. “Hopefully, it’s nothing too long-term.”
The injury represents a setback for South Korea, which had already been dealing with pitching concerns. Manager Ryu Ji-hyun had designated O’Brien as the team’s closer, envisioning him in high-leverage situations from the seventh through ninth innings. The appointment signaled a significant vote of confidence in the 31-year-old, who enjoyed a career year with the Cardinals in , posting a 2.06 ERA across 42 games and recording six saves.
O’Brien’s eligibility to represent South Korea stems from the WBC’s rules, which allow players to compete for the country of birth of one of their parents. He is one of four U.S.-born players of Korean descent selected for the national team, joining Detroit Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones, Seattle Mariners pitcher Dane Dunning, and Houston Astros utility player Shay Whitcomb.
The news of O’Brien’s injury comes just days after KT Wiz closer Park Young-hyun publicly acknowledged accepting the national team closer role despite initially anticipating that role himself. Park, speaking before departing for Okinawa, Japan, for the national team camp, expressed his commitment to supporting the team’s goals.
“I was selected for the WBC national team, and I feel like I achieved my goal,” Park said, according to the Chosunbiz. “Now I believe that if I faithfully carry out my role so that this goal can reach the United States, there will be good results.”
Park emphasized his preparation for the tournament, noting that manager Ryu Ji-hyun had focused on ensuring players reached peak condition. “Because the WBC takes place before the season, there is a risk of injury and sometimes players don’t get their pace up,” Park explained. “I think I’ve prepared thoroughly, so I’m relatively at ease.” He added that his recent bullpen and live pitching sessions in Australia had left him feeling confident.
The situation with O’Brien adds another layer of complexity to South Korea’s pitching plans. While Park has demonstrated his readiness to contribute, the loss of a designated closer with O’Brien’s experience and recent success could significantly impact the team’s strategy. The Cardinals have yet to release a detailed assessment of O’Brien’s injury, but local reporters in St. Louis are anticipating an official announcement soon.
O’Brien’s story is particularly noteworthy given his unique connection to both American and Korean baseball. Born to an American father and a Korean mother, he carries a Korean middle name, Junyoung, and embraced the opportunity to represent his mother’s homeland on the international stage. His decision to play for South Korea marked his first time competing for the national team.
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate, as the WBC is fast approaching. The tournament provides a platform for players to showcase their talents on a global stage and represents a significant opportunity for South Korea to compete for a championship. The uncertainty surrounding O’Brien’s status underscores the challenges national teams face in balancing player health and competitive aspirations during spring training.
The St. Louis Cardinals are also monitoring the situation closely, as O’Brien is a key component of their bullpen. His performance in established him as a reliable late-inning option, and his absence could impact the team’s depth and strategy during the upcoming MLB season. The Cardinals have not yet commented on the potential impact of O’Brien’s injury on their regular-season plans.
