JUPITER, FLA — Cardinals fifth starter Joel Pineiro this morning announced he will not play for Team Puerto Rico after its manager, Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo, informed him he would not be part of his three-man rotation for next month’s World Baseball Classic.

Pineiro, who started for Oquendo’s overachieving national team during the inaugural ‘06 event, described himself as “heartbroken” over Oquendo’s decision, adding that pitching out of the bullpen would not make sense because it would disrupt his conditioning for the upcoming regular season.

“I was very disappointed, very heartbroken. I felt disrespected,” Pineiro said prior  to this morning’s workout at Roger Dean Stadium. “Everybody knows that there have been only two pitchers in Puerto Rico the past 8-10 years who have been consistent starters, Javier Vazquez and myself. To hear that from [Oquendo], it was such a setback. I’m very disappointed. I can’t believe I’m talking to you guys about this.”

Pineiro said he already had purchased plane tickets for his family for events leading up to the tournament and for the Miami games.

“I feel bad for my country, for Puerto Rico, and for the teammates I would have had over there,” Pineiro said. “I talked to most of the guys over there and they know I’m doing the right thing.”

Oquendo first approached Pineiro about his role on Saturday. Pineiro construed the comments as a joke. But it later sunk in that Oquendo intended to use Ian Snell and Jonathan Sanchez along with Vazquez.

“From there on, that’s it. The last two days I’ve talked to the family and other players. Obviously, it’s my thing to start. I’ve been doing it my whole career,” Pineiro said. “As a Puerto Rican guy I’ve been doing it the last eight years. Why not know? What happened in ‘06? How come I started in ‘06?”

Oquendo found himself in an unenviable position. The Cardinals clearly hoped Pineiro would remain in camp rather than participate in the WBC. However, clubs are not allowed to prohibit participation. At one point, Oquendo noted Pineiro “needed to be here.”

Asked if he felt Cardinals manager Tony La Russa or pitching coach Dave Duncan influenced Oquendo’s decision, Pineiro said, “It could have but those words never came out of Jose Oquendo.”

“I hope he just moves on. I hope he uses this as a chip on his shoulder and wins us 20 games,” Oquendo said.

As for Pineiro’s claim of disrespect, Oquendo said, “I don’t think I disrespected him. I had to make a decision what was best for Puerto Rico.”