Sun 2/24/13 9:31 AM

MLB.com's Tom Singer reports that Russell Martin has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic. Martin was expected to play shortstop for Team Canada in the WBC, but the Pirates and officials from Canada have told him that he wouldn't be allowed to play anything but catcher due to injury concerns. Signed to a two-year, $17 million contract this offseason, Martin will instead focus on getting ready for the start of the season.