GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cleveland Indians All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore will not play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because of soreness in his left groin.

The injury has been bothering Sizemore for about a week and he has been considering not playing in the WBC. He had been scheduled to leave training camp with Indians third baseman Mark DeRosa on Sunday and join the American team in Clearwater, Fla.

Sizemore played in the Indians' first two Cactus League games, but the leg bothered him slightly while stealing a base on Thursday. He told Indians manager Eric Wedge Friday morning that he thought it was best he remain in camp. The Indians then informed representatives of the U.S. team.

Sizemore batted .268 with 33 homers, 90 RBIs and 38 steals last season. He and Detroit's Curtis Granderson were expected to share center field for Team USA.

Earlier in camp, Indians manager Eric Wedge expressed concern about losing some of his players to the WBC, which will run from March 5-23. DeRosa (USA), outfielder Shin-Soo Choo (South Korea) and reliever Rafael Perez (Dominican Republic) are scheduled to participate in the international tournament. The Indians have minor leaguers who will be playing as well.

"I think it's tough on the players timing-wise," Wedge said. "But I don't think anybody has a good solution to when a good time is to do it. I don't know. I don't have an answer. I think they tried to make it a little later this time and I think that is a good thing. It's a great promotion of baseball. It's great for international baseball. It's patriotic for everybody, regardless of where you're from. But I think it is tough on the players physically."

In recent weeks other players have wrestled with decisions to play in the WBC or stay with their major league teams.

Wedge worried about players getting hurt in the WBC or missing valuable time to get ready for the upcoming season.

"I think everyone is concerned about the physical part, especially with pitchers," Wedge said. "From my standpoint, I worry about the position players who aren't going to play because you are losing two or three weeks of preparation. I don't know how much practicing is going on over there. It's something we have to keep an eye on."

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AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.