With this year’s World Baseball Classic coming up in less than two months the provisional rosters have started to take shape. Sunday evening a number of additions to the United States team were announced and the list includes a number of familiar names – including pitchers R.A. Dickey and Andy Pettitte.
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Dickey, winner of the 2012 NL Cy Young Award after going 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA with the New York Mets this past season and the subject of plenty of discussion this winter leading up to his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays, will help lead what will likely end up being a strong starting rotation for the international competition. He’ll be joined by Pettitte, one of the most experienced left-handers in the game today who’s won 245 games in his 17 year career. The pair will also likely be among the tournament’s oldest competitors, as Dickey is 38 and Pettitte is 40. Neither has been in the event previously.
Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, who posted an ERA of 1.01 and saved an NL-high 42 games this past season, will also be joining the roster and will lead what appears to be a fairly formidable bullpen. San Diego’s Luke Gregerson and Cleveland’s Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano will reportedly also be available to USA manager Joe Torre.
David Wright, Ryan Braun, Giancarlo Stanton, Joe Mauer, Mark Teixeira, Brandon Phillips, Shane Victorino, and Adam Jones will all also reportedly participate for the US squad.
Team USA’s first game is scheduled for March 8th, at Arizona’s Chase Field, against Mexico.