Cardinals' Riley O'Brien Out for WBC, Shut Down with Mild Calf Strain

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien will be shut down for several days due to a mild right calf strain, as announced by manager Oliver Marmol. This injury makes him unlikely to pitch for Team South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, though he remains in the player pool. It will take a couple of weeks to ramp up, delaying his spring training game readiness until at least early March. The setback could also impact his bid to open the season as the Cardinals' closer, where he's competing with JoJo Romero and Matt Svanson.