Sydney right hand pitcher Josh Hill joined the Australian team for its opening World Baseball Classic 'Pool D' round match against Italy in Orlando

World Baseball Classic Incorporated approved Australia’s request to declare left hand pitcher Ryan Rowland Smith disabled and replace him with Hill

WBCI first had to gain approval from Minnesota Twins, Hill’s MLB organization, and the Major League Baseball Players Association

Hill received the call up after Rowland Smith, a minor leaguer with Seattle Mariners, was ruled out with elbow soreness
Hill, a minor league pitcher with the Twins, has joined the team in Orlando and will be on the roster for Australia’s World Baseball Classic opener against Italy later today

Rowland Smith, 23, complained of soreness in his left elbow when the Australian team was at its mini-camp at Boston Red Sox spring training complex in Fort Myers
Australian manager Jon Deeble said the team medical staff inspected Rowland Smith’s elbow and decided not to take any risks
Deeble said the Australian team did not want to jeopardize Rowland Smith’s career with Seattle Mariners where he is highly regarded
“Our doctor had a look at Ryan’s elbow and shut him down immediately” Deeble said

Deeble said Rowland Smith’s misfortune provided a great opportunity for Hill, who has pitched in the Minnesota Twins minor leagues since 2001

Rowland Smith, a member of the Australian Silver Medal winning team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, was devastated by the news
After spending last season with the Mariners ‘AA’ club San Antonio Missions, Rowland Smith played in Venezuela for one month
“It’s really disappointing” Rowland Smith said
“I won’t really know of the full extent until I have an MRI
It just didn’t feel right
It felt like 80 percent
I want to compete, but I’m not going to help anyone if I’m not 100 percent
It’s tough career wise
This would have been a great opportunity personally and professionally”