Mexico, Canada brawl at WBC, and it looks like Dodgers third baseman Luis Cruz started it.

A benches-clearing brawl at today’s World Baseball Classic game between Mexico and Canada appeared to begin when Dodgers third baseman Luis Cruz signaled for a hit batter.

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Dodgers’ Javy Guerra on WBC opportunity: ‘It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.’

When Adrian Gonzalez was traded to the Dodgers last August, no one could have known what that would mean for reliever Javy Guerra.
Javy Guerra
Gonzalez asked Guerra if he would join Team Mexico on Saturday after reliever David Hernandez was ruled ineligible and switched teams, from Mexico to the United States. Guerra readily accepted after getting permission from Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.

It’s something he might not have been able to do without Gonzalez, the team captain for Mexico.

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Javy Guerra tells Dodgers he’ll play for Mexico in WBC.

Javy Guerra

Dodgers right-hander Javy Guerra told the team on Saturday that he plans on playing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Once he’s added to the roster Guerra would join Dodgers teammates Luis Cruz and Adrian Gonzalez on the Mexican team. Cruz and Gonzalez are set to leave the Dodgers to begin training for the WBC tomorrow.

A curious chain reaction left an opening for a pitcher on Team Mexico. After Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez left Team USA due to injury, Arizona Diamondbacks reliever David Hernandez switched from Team Mexico to the United States squad, having been ruled ineligible to pitch for Mexico.

Further, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo was scratched from a spring start with a strained groin, potentially leaving Mexico without one of its best starters for the tournament.

Guerra will pitch his regularly scheduled inning tomorrow for the Dodgers against the Cleveland Indians according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, who first reported the news.

Guerra was born in Texas, the son of Mexican parents. He has never pitched in the World Baseball Classic before.

Positive reports so far on Dodgers pitchers Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly, Javy Guerra.

Chad Billingsley

Chad Billingsley gave an upbeat self-diagnosis on his right elbow when spring training began. One week later, he looks like the same pitcher, Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said Tuesday.

“Chad, the ball’s coming out fine,” Honeycutt said. “He hasn’t missed any time other than just having a little bit of soreness in the calf from our running program. Arm-wise, it’s been very impressive.”

Billingsley hasn’t been limited in his throwing since spring began. Only two Dodgers pitchers have: Javy Guerra and Ted Lilly. Guerra had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder November 2. Lilly had the same procedure on his left shoulder Sept. 21.

“Ted, even though we’ve taken a little more conservative approach with his times on the mound,” Honeycutt said, “giving him two days in between — him and Javy Guerra — each time he’s been on the mound he’s been very good. Very solid.”

Maybe the biggest injury news is this: Kenley Jansen has been bothered by an ingrown toenail. Other than Scott Elbert, who had elbow surgery on Jan. 23 and is expected to miss opening day, the entire pitching staff is healthy one week into spring training. Knock on wood.