(SURPRISE, Ariz.) -- Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer will replace New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira on the United States team for the World Baseball Classic.

Hosmer received a call from United States manager Joe Torre and was excited to be invited to compete.  Teixeira was scratched from the roster after suffering a strain in his right wrist while swinging off a tee on Tuesday.

"I certainly feel bad for Tex, but it's one of those things, it just seems like it's unavoidable," Torre said Tuesday. "You never want to wish a thing like this upon any player, especially here in spring training."

Hosmer also received a ton of support from the Royals organization.

"Regular spring games don't mean a dadgum thing," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "They're playing in a tournament that means something, so it's great experience.

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