Published Saturday, Jan 12, 2013 at 9:17 am EST Last updated 7 hours and 42 minutes ago
With less than a week before provisional rosters for the World Baseball Classic must be submitted, Team USA manager Joe Torre appears to be putting together a strong roster.
Well, make that a strong lineup.
All of the players known to have committed to playing for Team USA are position players: New York Mets third baseman David Wright, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun, Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy and Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones.
Also, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips tweeted Thursday that he had received a call from Torre but Phillips did not confirm if he would play. Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki told The Denver Post he plans to play, but he must be cleared by his club after missing most of the 2012 season with a groin injury.
The only pitcher known to have accepted an invitation is Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins.
According to FoxSports.com, Chicago White Sox lefthander Chris Sale will not participate. Two Atlanta Braves, closer Craig Kimbrel and righthander Kris Medlen, have been issued invitations but have not yet accepted. Their teammate, right fielder Jason Heyward, turned down an invitation, according to the team?s website. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Texas Rangers closer Joe Nathan has been asked to play but is mulling it over.
Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper also will pass on the 16-team tournament, agent Scott Boras told reporters last month. Harper did not want to be away from his team for what could be more than half of March, depending on how Team USA fares.
Players on Team USA are expected to assemble in Phoenix on March 4 for the March 7-10 first round. If it advances, Team USA would head to Miami for second-round games March 12-16. The semifinals and finals, scheduled for San Francisco from March 17-19, would require another cross-country trip.
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