Colombia’s veteran pitcher Julio Teheran was abruptly scratched from his World Baseball Classic start with right shoulder impingement, a setback that immediately refocuses attention on the physical risks faced by experienced arms in high-stakes international play and threatens Colombia’s momentum in Pool C.
The scene unfolded in San Juan, Puerto Rico: Colombia’s scheduled starter, Julio Teheran, felt discomfort in his right shoulder during warmups and was immediately scratched from his World Baseball Classic game against Canada. Team spokeswoman Melissa Strozza called it a precautionary measure, but for anyone following Teheran’s career arc, this moment triggers a deeply familiar alarm bell.
At 35, Teheran represents the veteran pitcher archetype now scattered across WBC rosters—a former All-Star whose MLB journey has taken him from Atlanta’s ace to journeyman, last appearing in the majors with the New York Mets in 2024 before spending 2025 in the Mexican League with Toros de Tijuana. His career ERA of 3.82 over 248 starts is a testament to durability, yet this latest shoulder issue echoes a pattern that has followed many pitchers into their mid-thirties.
The Shoulder Impingement: Why It’s More Than a Minor Bump
Shoulder impingement isn’t just stiffness; it’s a mechanical conflict where rotator cuff tendons are pinched between bones during arm motion. For a pitcher, this is a flashing red light. The condition often stems from repetitive stress and can precede more serious issues like labral tears or rotator cuff damage. That Teheran felt it while warming up suggests his arm wasn’t fully prepared for the explosive motion of pitching—a worrying sign for a pitcher recovering from a long layoff or managing chronic wear.
Consider the context: Teheran hadn’t pitched in a regular-season MLB game since October 2024. The Mexican League, while competitive, doesn’t replicate the intensity or recovery demands of the majors. Jumping straight into the WBC, with its condensed schedule and high-pressure outings, places veteran arms in a precarious position. This isn’t speculation; it’s biomechanical reality. The precautionary scratch was smart, but it also highlights how fragile a pitcher’s window can be after 35.
Colombia’s Pitching Crisis: A Team Built on Momentum Now Pivot
Teheran was supposed to be the anchor for Colombia‘s Pool C rotation. His steadiness offered a counterbalance to a lineup featuring stars like Luis Arráez and Giovanny Urshela. With Teheran out, Colombia turned to Austin Bergner, a lefty with minimal high-level experience. Canada, meanwhile, fields a deep lineup. This isn’t just a one-game adjustment; it disrupts Colombia’s entire pitching strategy, potentially forcing their bullpen into earlier, more frequent use.
- Immediate Impact: Colombia’s confidence takes a hit before the first pitch.
- Long-Term Ripple: If Teheran’s injury lingers, Colombia must rely on less proven arms in a tournament where every run matters.
- Pool Dynamics: This scratches opens the door for Canada or other Pool C teams to gain ground in the standings.
The World Baseball Classic thrives on these national pride narratives, but behind the scenes, it’s a grueling test of physical readiness. For a team like Colombia, lacking the pitching depth of baseball giants, Teheran’s absence could be the difference between advancing and going home.
From All-Star to Mexican League: The Unseen Decline of a Veteran Arm
Teheran’s story is a modern MLB parable. After two All-Star selections with the Braves (2014, 2015) and a 2014 season where he posted a 2.89 ERA, his velocity and effectiveness gradually eroded. By 2020 with the Angels, his ERA had climbed to 5.48. A series of one-year deals followed—Detroit, Milwaukee, the Mets—each stint shorter and less impactful. The Mexican League isn’t a retirement league, but it’s not the majors. It’s a place for veterans to prolong careers, not necessarily to regain form.
This trajectory matters because it illustrates how quickly a pitcher’s window closes. Teheran’s stuff—once a mid-90s fastball with a sharp slider—has lost its bite. His MLB career totals: 81 wins, 82 losses, 3.85 ERA. Solid, but not dominant. In the WBC, where margins are thin, you need dominant stuff or pinpoint command. Teheran was attempting to provide the latter. His shoulder discomfort suggests the body isn’t cooperating.
Fan Theories and the “What If” Scenario
Social media and Colombian baseball forums are already buzzing. Some fans speculate Teheran was never fully healthy, pointing to his 2024 Mets stint where he posted a 5.02 ERA in 71.2 innings. Others argue the WBC‘s format is reckless for pitchers coming off seasons in lesser leagues. A prevailing theory: Teheran pushed too hard to prove he still belonged, ignoring minor aches until they became prohibitive.
There’s also the “strategic scratch” narrative—that Colombia knew Teheran wasn’t ready and used the impingement as a face-saving excuse to start Bergner all along. But team officials confirmed the discomfort was real. This mix of skepticism and concern is typical for veteran pitchers in international play: fans want the star, but the body often says no.
Why This Matters Beyond One Game
Teheran’s scratch is a microcosm of a larger issue in baseball: the WBC and other international events place unique stress on aging pitchers who are trying to stay relevant. Unlike the regular season, where teams manage workloads over 162 games, the WBC demands peak performance in short bursts. For a pitcher like Teheran, who hasn’t faced major league hitting regularly, the adjustment is brutal.
Moreover, this incident will make MLB teams even more cautious about allowing veteran free agents to participate in future WBCs. Clubs already have enough investment in pitchers’ health; international tournaments add an uncontrolled variable. Teheran’s situation may quietly influence roster construction for the next World Baseball Classic in 2027, with teams potentially blocking older pitchers or demanding stricter medical reviews.
The Road Ahead for Teheran and Colombia
For Teheran, the immediate focus is recovery. Shoulder impingement can resolve with rest and physical therapy, but recurrence is common. If he returns to form, he might latch on with another MLB organization desperate for left-handed depth. But at 35, each injury compounds the perception that his best days are irrevocably behind him.
Colombia, meanwhile, must recalibrate. Their pitching staff now leans heavily on Bergner and a bullpen that will be taxed from Day 1. The team’s offensive talent is real, but in tournament baseball, pitching wins championships. Teheran’s absence transforms Colombia from a dark horse into a team that must overachieve to advance.
This story isn’t just about one pitcher’s sore shoulder. It’s about the intersection of national pride, physical limits, and the brutal arithmetic of a pitcher’s career arc. In the World Baseball Classic, every scratch reveals a larger truth about the price of glory.
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