Team USA for the 2013 World Baseball Classic will not be formally announced until Thursday evening, but the Team USA pitching staff is being assembled. Team USA manager Joe Torre will have R.A. Dickey, Andy Pettitte, Ryan Vogelsong and Craig Kimbrel as part of a provisional roster that already includes, Adam Jones, Brandon Phillips, David Wright, Giancarlo Stanton, Joe Mauer and Ryan Braun. The Team USA bullpen will include San Diego’s Luke Gregerson, and Cleveland’s Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano. Shane Victorino is also expected to participate for team USA.
Dickey the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner for the New York Mets in 2012 was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays this off-season. Dickey went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA. The addition of Pettitte as one of the most experienced left-handers in the game. Pettitte has won 245 games in his 17 year career. Neither veteran has pitched in the World Baseball Classic previously. Vogelsong posted a 3.37 ERA, a career-best 14-9 record for the World Champion San Francisco Giants in 2012. Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, posted an ERA of 1.01 and saved an NL-high 42 games this past season. Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander is a possibility for the team, but he would be a later addition.
