D-backs land two members on Team USA
Jan 17, 2013, 3:52 PM | Updated: 3:58 pm
The 2013 World Baseball Classic will be played this spring, and the Arizona Diamondbacks have landed two members on the Team USA roster.
Infielder Willie Bloomquist and relief pitcher Heath Bell are both included on the 27-man provisional roster released Thursday morning.
Bloomquist, 35, hit .302 with 23 RBI in 80 games for Arizona in 2012. This will be his first experience in the World Baseball Classic.
Bell, 35, came to the Diamondbacks in an offseason trade with the Miami Marlins. In 2012, the right-hander went 4-5 with a 5.09 ERA and 19 saves in 73 appearances. Bell played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for Team USA, which finished fourth in the competition. In the tournament, Bell pitched in four games (3.2 innings), posting a 7.36 ERA.
Team USA will play in Pool D along with Italy, Canada and Mexico. First round games start March 8 at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Team USA Provisional Roster for 2013 World Baseball Classic
Jeremy Affeldt – San Francisco Giants – LHP
J.P. Arencibia – Toronto Blue Jays – C
Heath Bell – Arizona Diamondbacks – RHP
Willie Bloomquist – Arizona Diamondbacks – UTL
Mitchell Boggs – St. Louis Cardinals – RHP
Ryan Braun – Milwaukee Brewers – OF
Steve Cishek – Miami Marlins – RHP
Tim Collins – Kansas City Royals – LHP
R.A. Dickey – Toronto Blue Jays – RHP
Luke Gregerson – San Diego Padres – RHP
Derek Holland – Texas Rangers – LHP
Adam Jones – Baltimore Orioles – OF
Craig Kimbrel – Atlanta Braves – RHP
Jonathan Lucroy – Milwaukee Brewers – C
Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins – C
Kris Medlen – Atlanta Braves – RHP
Chris Perez – Cleveland Indians – RHP
Glen Perkins – Minnesota Twins – LHP
Vinnie Pestano – Cleveland Indians – RHP
Brandon Phillips – Cincinnati Reds – IF
Jimmy Rollins – Philadelphia Phillies – IF
Giancarlo Stanton – Miami Marlins – OF
Mark Teixeira – New York Yankees – IF
Shane Victorino – Boston Red Sox – OF
Ryan Vogelsong – San Francisco Giants – RHP
David Wright – New York Mets – IF
Ben Zobrist – Tampa Bay Rays – UTL
Joe Torre – Manager
Larry Bowa – Bench coach
Marcel Lachemann – Bullpen/pitching coach
Greg Maddux – Pitching coach
Dale Murphy – First base coach
Gerald Perry – Hitting coach
Willie Randolph – Third base coach
