Byron Buxton expected to be named to Team USA’s WBC roster

ORLANDO Kyle Schwarber Gunnar Henderson and Will Smith were among the stars officially added to Club USA s World Baseball Classic roster on Tuesday Byron Buxton was not but the Twins star center fielder is expected to be added to the preliminary roster in the coming days Demanded about Buxton and whether he might play for the club Mark DeRosa the manager of the company commented he wasn t sure what he could or couldn t say but noted Buxton had been talked about as a candidate to join the association I think it s time for the world to see him I ve known him since he was years old DeRosa revealed I live in Atlanta Georgia I kind of followed his ascent He used to work out with us as a young kid and kind of watched him become a star He s been nicked up by injuries He s healthy now He just hit jacks It s kind of time for the world to see him run around in center field in my opinion Buxton has never played in the World Baseball Classic before and should he wind up playing he would depart from Fort Myers Florida during the middle of spring training to compete in the competition Group USA is scheduled to play two exhibition games in Scottsdale Arizona before heading to Houston for pool play The semifinals and finals will take place at loanDepot Park the home of the Miami Marlins We talk a lot about a balanced roster You have a right-handed Aaron Judge We ve already got two left-handed outfielders in Pete Crow-Armstrong and Corbin Carroll Gang USA general manager Michael Hill disclosed A Byron Buxton type just checks so a large number of boxes He has speed great defender a right-handed bat to potentially complement specific of the other pieces Definitely someone under serious consideration for us as he should be because he s one of the great players in our country Joe Ryan is also another feasible option for Band USA while Squad Venezuela is hoping fellow starter Pablo L pez will be healthy and can once again compete on the band L pez pitched for the squad in allowing one run and two hits over innings in a start against Puerto Rico The starter dealt with multiple injuries throughout last season ending the year on the injured list with a forearm strain after a weird dive while fielding a ball He also missed much of the summer with a shoulder injury Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey explained L pez on Monday is healthy back to his full normal offseason prep If able L pez has expressed his desire to play Company Venezuela manager Omar L pez mentioned He might become our first starter He might become our starter in the quarter finals and he might be in the final encounter too Omar L pez stated I m hoping and praying that he can be with us because there s no doubt that if everything goes well that Pablo L pez is on our squad While his status is in question there s at least one person with Twins connections who has signed on to join Company Venezuela Johan Santana The two-time Cy Young Award winner will be the crew s pitching coach for the first time I m very excited because it s an opportunity to come back to the match Santana mentioned I have done a sparse things for the Twins and the Mets but to officially be a part of this for me is very pivotal and I m looking forward to it Baldelli lands new job Former manager Rocco Baldelli whom the Twins fired after a disappointing season is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in a front office role reuniting with Andrew Friedman Baldelli worked with Friedman the Dodgers president of baseball operations in Tampa Bay He previously worked in the Rays front office as a special assistant while Friedman was there following the conclusion of his playing career Baldelli managed the Twins for seven seasons before being dismissed after the Twins second-straight fourth-place finish He went - at the helm of the Twins Briefly The Twins have a full -man roster in the present but could make a move ahead of Wednesday s Rule draft if they want to make a selection That s something they are still considering president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey stated on Tuesday evening We ve been thinking about that over the program of the week and working through selected different iterations that could allow for us to have an opening Falvey disclosed Related Articles Twins drop one spot receive No overall pick in draft Twins plan to retool on the fly keep trio of stars First order of business for new Twins manager Derek Shelton Meet the association Three things Twins fans can watch for during MLB s Winter Meetings Twins contract for catcher Alex Jackson tender contracts to seven