MLB roundup: All-Stars fill USA's WBC roster
USA Baseball's 27-man provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic includes 13 players who have USA Baseball experience, including six who have played in past WBCs.
The roster, which was announced Thursday, includes 15 major league All-Stars, three Most Valuable Players and one Cy Young Award winner.
The All-Stars are Heath Bell, Ryan Braun, R.A. Dickey, Adam Jones, Craig Kimbrel, Joe Mauer, Chris Perez, Brandon Phillips, Jimmy Rollins, Giancarlo Stanton, Mark Teixeira, Shane Victorino, David Wright, Ryan Vogelsong and Ben Zobrist. Braun (2011 National League), Mauer (2009 American League) and Rollins (2007 N.L.) were league MVPs. Dickey won the 2012 N.L. Cy Young Award.
Bell ('09), Braun ('09), Rollins ('09), Teixeira ('06), Victorino ('09) and Wright ('09) have played in previous WBCs. The team is managed by Joe Torre.
Provisional rosters allow up to 28 players, creating a pool of players who are eligible to be named to the Federation's final roster. Each Federation must submit its final 28-man roster, including a minimum of 13 pitchers and two catchers, by Sunday.
The USA team plays its first round games as part of Pool D at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, from March 8-10. The pool also includes Canada, Mexico and Italy.
---The Boston Red Sox announced that catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia agreed to a one-year contract, reportedly worth $4.5 million, his agent told ESPN Boston.
The deal means that Saltalamacchia avoids salary arbitration. The Red Sox have eight players still eligible for arbitration, including new closer Joel Hanrahan, reliever Andrew Bailey and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.
Boston also reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli. Saltalamacchia is rumored to be traded because of the Napoli deal, but the team plans to play Napoli at first base. Mauro Gomez and David Ortiz are the other first basemen on the Red Sox's roster. Ortiz is primarily a designated hitter. Saltalamacchia will likely be the starter behind the plate, backed up by David Ross.
Napoli's deal could reportedly jump to $13 million because of incentives. He agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract earlier in the offseason but the deal was off because he failed his physical. The two sides reportedly agreed to shorter terms.
Napoli spent the past two years with Texas and five with the Los Angeles Angels.
---San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval is in a Venezuelan hospital with abdominal pain.
CSN Bay Area reported Sandoval has been hospitalized since Wednesday with colitis but is expected back on the field soon with his Winter League team in Magallanes.
