Team USA will begin it’s quest in the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field on Monday March 8 in a match-up with Mexico. There will be two players that will be playing the game on their home field. Diamondbacks Infielder Willie Bloomquist who is about to enter his third season in Arizona and newly acquired reliever Heath Bell have been named to the Team USA provisional roster.
Former Manager Joe Torre will manage the team that is spotlighted by Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun and the reigning Cy Young Award winner in the National League, R.A. Dickey. The full roster is as follows:
C-Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
C-Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers
C-J.P. Arencibia, Toronto Blue Jays
1B-Mark Texeira, New York Yankees
2B-Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds
SS-Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies
3B-David Wright, New York Mets
IF-Willie Bloomquist, Arizona Diamondbacks
IF-Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays
OF-Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
OF-Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
OF-Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
OF-Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies
SP-R.A. Dickey, Toronto Blue Jays
SP-Derek Holland, Texas Rangers
SP-Kris Medlin, Atlanta Braves
SP-Ryan Vogelsong, San Francisco Giants
RP-Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants
RP-Heath Bell, Arizona Diamondbacks
RP-Mitchell Boggs, St. Louis Cardinals
RP-Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins
RP-Tim Collins, Kansas City Royals
RP-Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres
RP-Criag Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
RP-Chris Perez, Cleveland Indians
RP-Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins
RP-Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians
“Having talked to all of these players I sense a great deal of excitement about representing the United States in the World Baseball Classic,” said Torre. “I share their excitement and look forward to managing this talented group in March.”
The final rosters are due by February 20th.
