Salvy, Hosmer, Duffy among those to play in World Baseball Classic

The full rosters of the World Baseball Classic were announced this evening, with several Royals scheduled to participate in the 2017 tournament. Danny Duffy and Eric Hosmer will both represent the United States, along with other Major League stars like Andrew McCutchen, Giancarlo Stanton, and Buster Posey. Team USA is loaded with players like Nolan Arenado, Ian Kinsler, Matt Carpenter, Christian Yelich, and a deep pitching staff that includes Sonny Gray, Michael Fulmer, Andrew Miller, Marcus Stroman, and Chris Archer.

Salvador Perez will represent his native Venezuela, along with shortstop Alcides Escobar. Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Gonzalez, Jose Altuve, and Felix Hernandez help fill out the roster.

Joakim Soria will pitch for Team Mexico, as well as former Royals pitchers Jorge de la Rosa and Luis Mendoza. Other big leaguers on that roster include first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, outfielder Khris Davis, and pitcher Roberto Osuna.

Catcher Drew Butera will play on Team Italy along with former Royals infielder Johnny Giavotella. Butera represented Italy in the 2013 WBC.

Former Royals pitchers Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto will play represent the Dominican Republic in a stacked team that also includes Robinson Cano, Jose Bautista, Nelson Cruz, Manny Machado, Carlos Santana, Adrian Beltre, and Dellin Betances. The team will be managed by former Royals manager Tony Pena, who led the team to a championship in 2013.

Former Royals Mike Aviles, and outfielders Carlos Beltran and Reymond Fuentes will play for Team Puerto Rico as well as All-Star shortstops Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa. Peter Moylan, who spent last season with the Royals, will play for Team Australia with former Royals pitcher Liam Hendricks. Other former Royals on rosters include Bruce Chen (China), Nori Aoki (Japan), George Kottaras (Canada), Franklin Morales and Yohan Pino (Venezuela).

Other Royals minor leaguers in the tournament include catcher Allan de San Miguel (Australia), pitcher Kevin Escoria and third baseman Mauricio Ramos (Colombia), pitchers Gabe Cramer and Jake Kalish (Israel)

You can find all Major League and minor league participants here.

The World Baseball Classic will begin March 6 with first round sites in Miami (United States), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (Korea), and Jalisco (Mexico). The first round is a round-robin tournament with the United States in Pool C with Canada, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. A complete schedule of games is available here.