The big story of the day (besides Matt Cassel and Jim Bowden leaving the Nationals) the talk in Fort Myers revolves around the thunder clouds looming over head and those players heading out to the World Baseball Classic. One participant in today’s match-up over at Hammond Stadium between the Red Sox and Twins, Minnesota reliever Joe Nathan, informed Team USA that he will not be participating because of pain in his AC joint (shoulder).

Before we get to that, here is the Red Sox lineup today: Julio Lugo (SS), Dustin Pedroia (2B), David Ortiz (DH), Kevin Youkilis (1B), Rocco Baldelli (RF), Paul McAnulty (LF), Josh Bard (C), Angel Chavez (3B), and Jonthan Van Every (CF). The first three pitchers for the Sox will be Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, and Jonathan Papelbon, with Beckett and Wakefield each going two innings with Papelbon going just one.

One bit of WBC news regarding the Red Sox is that Jason Bay will be playing center field for Team Canada. The last time he played the position was in 2005 with Pittsburgh, having manned the spot in 30 games. The concern from the Sox perspective is the possible over-exertion in the expanse of the Rogers Centre outfield.

Although Bay knows his team will be heavy underdogs, due in large part to the exclusion of some key pitchers, it does have one thing going for them — it’s the only squad to integrate street hockey into their training.

“There was a full sized outdoor hockey rink right in the back of the training facility in Dunedin,” Bay said. “So Justin Morneau went out and bought a bunch of hockey sticks and after the last practice we went out and played a little ‘shinny’ (street hockey) game. There were boards, nets, everything. Where do you see that?”

Ortiz, who heads to Jupiter after today’s game, also chimed in on the WBC, and the prospect of facing his teammate.

“I’m going to take Daisuke deep, for sure,” said Ortiz.

The DH was then asked if he was, indeed, looking forward to facing Matsuzaka, to which he responded: ”No, and you know why because I’m going to have the Japanese media all over me.”

Here is Ortiz on if there will be a lot of pressure on his Dominican Republic team: “Oh yeah. Believe me. There’s nothing you can do about it. It’s like the same pressure you get when you play here. It’s just the fact you’re going to try your best. It’s something you can’t control.”

As for Nathan, he said that filing the paperwork Saturday night to not participate in the WBC was strictly precautionary, and that he even threw a bullpen session today.

“I had some discomfort in my AC joint, took a few days off. It was a decision that everybody agreed upon, a very tough decision. I tried to hold off as long as I could because I definitely wanted to be there and wanted to participate. It will be tough to watch it for sure. At the same time I realize I have responsibilities for the Twins and for my teammates. Being ready for April 6, that’s the most important thing.

“I started feeling a little mild discomfort this offseason but didn’t really think anything of it because I never really feel good in the winter and it always takes a little while to get it back in the groove. I think we found it early enough where it’s not an issue.”