PEORIA, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners have told Adrian Beltre he can't play for his native Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

The Gold Glove third baseman said Saturday he was healthy enough to leave Sunday and join the Dominican team to train for its tournament opener March 7.

In September, Beltre had surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb and remove bone spurs from his nonthrowing shoulder. The Mariners say he has yet to fully recover.

Beltre was on the final WBC roster, but he can be replaced before his nation's opener in San Juan, Puerto Rico.