SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Texas Rangers closer Francisco Cordero has a sore shoulder that will keep him from competing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

"I'm really disappointed,'' Cordero said Thursday. "I've been waiting as long as I could to make the decision, but my shoulder just doesn't feel right.''

Cordero has been limited to throwing off flat ground. He threw eight minutes Wednesday and said the pain was lingering.

"I'm not a fast starter in spring training, and I need to be careful,'' Cordero said. "I want the Dominican Republic to win as much as anybody back home, but I also want to be able to help the team.''

Cordero had 49 saves and a 2.13 ERA in 2004 but slumped to 37 saves and a 3.39 ERA last season.