SURPRISE, Ariz. _ Cubs manager Joe Maddon is more than willing to pardon the interruption.
The way he and infielder Javier Baez see it, the latter playing for Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic can't hurt _ unless Baez gets hurt.
Maddon's prized defensive pupil played his last spring training game for the Cubs on Sunday before heading to Scottsdale, Ariz., to join Team Puerto Rico for what could be more than two weeks, depending on how far it advances in the WBC.
Aside from the usual injury concerns, Maddon said he's confident not being in camp won't stunt Baez's progress.
"I have no problem with it whatsoever. He's a big boy," Maddon said. "He gets it. He knows what we're doing here. ... We are really simple in our methods.
"Everybody's always concerned about your player's health once they leave. But that's everybody's concern."
Baez shrugged off any injury paranoia and said he's excited to represent his country with his childhood friend and World Series foe, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. The two have been playing against each other since they were 7, and their families are close.
"Everything happens for a reason," Baez said. "If ... somebody gets hurt, it's something you can't help and you can't control."
Baez also hasn't been able to control where he has played defensively, but he has his preference.
"I want to have my position," Baez said. "If I rotate, it won't matter. I'm used to it. But I want to play second base. I've been doing great."
Baez played 51 games each at second and third during the regular season last year and 24 at shortstop. But he started all 17 postseason games at second.
