Ryan Braun officially named to Team USA

It's official. Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun and catcher Jonathan Lucroy have been named to the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Braun and Lucroy were the only Brewers named to the prelimnary roster. A final 28-man roster, including at least 13 pitchers and two catchers, must be submitted on Feb. 20.

Braun will be competing in the WBC for the second time, having competed for Team USA in 2009.

Toronto's J.P. Arencibia and Minnesota's Joe Mauer joined Lucroy as the three catchers on the Team USA provisional roster.

Beyond Braun, the outfielders named are Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton, Shane Victorino and Ben Zobrist.

Team USA begins pool play in the World Baseball Classic on March 8 in Phoenix against Mexico. Italy and Canada are the other teams in Pool D.

Team USA will be led by manager Joe Torre. Torre's coaching staff includes Larry Bowa (bench coach), Marcel Lachemann (bullpen/pitching coach), Greg Maddux (pitching coach), Dale Murphy (first base coach), Gerald Perry (hitting coach) and Willie Randolph (third base coach). Lachemann and Maddux will oversee Team USA’s pitching staff.  

"Having talked to all of these players I sense a great deal of excitement about representing the United States in the World Baseball Classic," Torre said.  "I share their excitement and look forward to managing this talented group in March."

Only 27 players were named to the provisional roster and Torre said he was holding open a spot for another starting pitcher. Four starters already named are Atlanta's Kris Medlen, Toronto's R.A. Dickey, Texas' Derek Holland and San Francisco's Ryan Vogelsong.

Relief pitchers named to the roster include San Francisco's Jeremh Affeldt, Arizona's Heath Bell, St. Louis' Mitchell Boggs, Miami's Steve Cishek, Kansas City's Tim Collins, San Diego's Luke Gregerson, Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel, and Cleveland's Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano.

Infielders include New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips, Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins and New York Mets third baseman David Wright, as well as utility man Willie Bloomquist.

The rosters for the other countries will be made official later today. Brewers who already have committed to play for their countries are relievers John Axford and Jim Henderson and infielder Taylor Green for Canada, right-hander Yovani Gallardo for Mexico and catcher Martin Maldonado for Puerto Rico.


(jsonline.com)