BY SCOTT LAUBER
Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Cole Hamels have been included on the provisional, 45-man roster for the U.S. team that will compete in the World Baseball Classic in March.
Rollins committed to Team USA last month and will split time at shortstop with Derek Jeter. Victorino will have to be selected from a list of outfielders that includes Grady Sizemore, Ryan Braun, Brad Hawpe, Carlos Quentin, Vernon Wells, Ryan Ludwick and Curtis Granderson. Hamels is one of 10 starters on the provisional roster. The others are right-handers John Lackey, Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy, Justin Verlander and Jeremy Guthrie and lefties Scott Kazmir, Ted Lilly, Joe Saunders and Jon Danks.
J.C. Romero is on Puerto Rico's roster (he will be allowed to compete in the World Baseball Classic despite his 50-game suspension). Matt Stairs is on Canada's roster, and Carlos Ruiz is on Panama's roster. Infield prospect Brad Harman is on Australia's roster.
(Updated, 11:08 p.m.): Hamels will not participate in the World Baseball Classic, as expected. Ryan Howard and Brad Lidge weren't included on the provisional rosters because they declined their invitation several weeks ago.
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3 comments:
I thought Hamels decided not to play in the WBC due to his innings count?
Cole is on the roster but will/should decline the selection. A lot of top players aren't playing this year. Like Josh Hamilton...the WBC should be minor leagers only. Like the AAA players or shorten the major league season to 100 or 125 games. No need to have a pitcher throw more then he has to or have a star player get hurt.
I sure hope Hamels doesn't play. As much as I'd like to see him pitching for the US of A, I don't want to see him hurt in April or May.
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