SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was gung-ho about his players participating in the World Baseball Classic when Spring Training began, and an injury to pitcher Silvino Bracho hasn't changed his perspective.
Bracho, a right-handed reliever battling for a spot in the D-backs bullpen this spring, left Team Venezuela's Pool D game Saturday with a hamstring injury. He will return to the D-backs either Monday or Tuesday and be re-evaluated by team trainers.
:: 2017 World Baseball Classic ::
"Those are tough circumstances," Lovullo said Sunday before the D-backs faced the Giants. "Anytime you put on the uniform and step on the field, whether it's in practice or a game, you're at risk. We know these things happen. It's all been outlined to the players from Day 1, that injuries are part of the game.
"We're not really concerned when or how it happens. They were competing, they were doing their best and unfortunately he just was injured."
Bracho gave up a hit and struck out one in his two-thirds of an inning. He limped around the mound after delivering a pitch to Team Italy's Gavin Cecchini at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico. Venezuela catcher Salvador Perez immediately called for a trainer and Bracho was removed.
Perez, the Royals' All-Star catcher, later was injured on a play at the plate and is out of the Classic himself.
When the D-backs reported to camp, Lovullo expressed great pride that nine players from the organization would play for their country in the Classic.
"I still feel the same," Lovullo said. "If you talk to Salvador Perez and some others who've been banged up, they're going to say the same thing; they aren't going to regret it one bit."
Bracho allowed a hit and two walks in three scoreless Cactus League innings earlier this month. He had a 7.30 ERA in 26 appearances last season.
The World Baseball Classic runs through March 22. In the U.S., games air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament is being distributed internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games at Marlins Park, Tokyo Dome, Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico, Petco Park, as well as the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.