NEW YORK — Toronto's R.A. Dickey heads a starting pitching staff missing David Price, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Clayton Kershaw and Matt Cain on the preliminary U.S. roster for the World Baseball Classic.
Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, Miami's Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees' Mark Teixeira and the Mets' David Wright are among 27 players on the roster announced today. The roster also includes Joe Mauer and Jimmy Rollins, and the bullpen is headed by Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel.
Final 28-man rosters are due Feb. 20 and must include at least 13 pitchers and two catchers. The U.S., managed by Joe Torre, opens against Mexico on March 8, then plays Italy and Canada to complete its first-round group.
The roster:
Pitchers: Jeremy Affeldt (San Francisco), Heath Bell (Arizona), Mitchell Boggs (St. Louis), Steve Cishek (Miami), Tim Collins (Kansas City), R.A. Dickey (Toronto), Luke Gregerson (San Diego), Derek Holland (Texas), Craig Kimbrel (Atlanta), Kris Medlen (Atlanta), Chris Perez (Cleveland), Glen Perkins (Minnesota), Vinnie Pestano (Cleveland), Ryan Vogelsong (San Francisco)
Catchers: J.P. Arencibia (Toronto), Jonathan Lucroy (Milwaukee), Joe Mauer (Minnesota)
Infielders: Willie Bloomquist (Arizona), Brandon Phillips (Cincinnati), Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia), Mark Teixeira (N.Y. Yankees), David Wright (N.Y. Mets)
Outfielders: Ryan Braun (Milwaukee), Adam Jones (Baltimore), Giancarlo Stanton (Miami), Shane Victorino (Boston), Ben Zobrist (Tampa Bay)
