StarBulletin.com

Victorino makes WBC roster for U.S.


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POSTED: Sunday, March 01, 2009

CLEARWATER, Fla. » Maui's Shane Victorino was already a World Series champion. Now he'll get the chance to play for a world championship.

Victorino, a St. Anthony graduate, has been named to the United States team for the World Baseball Classic, according to MLB.com.

               

     

 

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

        U.S. ROSTER

        Pitchers

        Jonathan Broxton, Brian Fuentes, Jeremy Guthrie, J.P. Howell, Ted Lilly, Matt Lindstrom, Joe Nathan, Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy, J.J. Putz, B.J. Ryan, Scot Shields, Matt Thornton, Brad Ziegler

        Catchers

        Chris Iannetta, Brian McCann

        Infielders

        Mard DeRosa, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Kevin Youkilis

        Outfielders

        Ryan Braun, Curtis Granderson, Shane Victorino
       

OPENING GAMES
        All times Hawaii time
        Group A
        Wednesday
        China vs. Japan, 11:30 p.m.
        Thursday
        Taiwan vs. South Korea, 11:30 p.m.
        Group B
        Next Sunday
        South Africa vs. Cuba, 10 a.m.
        Australia vs. Mexico, 5 p.m.
        Group C
        Saturday
        U.S. vs. Canada, 9 a.m.
        Italy vs. Venezuela, 3 p.m.
        Group D
        Saturday
        Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic, 6 a.m.
        Panama vs. Puerto Rico, noon

       

 

       

The Phillies center fielder had been on the provisional roster but left off the final roster, but a spot opened up when Grady Sizemore of the Indians decided not to compete because of soreness in his groin.

With outfielder Brad Hawpe removed from the roster yesterday because of an injury, Victorino should get the at-bats he needs to prepare for the upcoming season, according to Team USA manager Davey Johnson.

The United States opens play in Group C on Saturday against Canada. Other teams in the group, which is playing its games in Toronto, are Italy and Venezuela. The event culminates with the championship game on March 23 in Los Angeles.

Victorino will be joined on the U.S. squad by Phillies teammate Jimmy Rollins.

Yesterday, Victorino want 1-for-3 and drove in a run and scored one as the Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays 12-5 in a World Series rematch, the champions' first win of the exhibition season.

The game also featured the return of Pat Burrell to familiar territory.

The left fielder for the Phillies in their title season signed with the Rays in January. The crowd in Clearwater—the Phillies' spring facility—gave Burrell a warm reception.