The Chicago Cubs are preparing for the start of spring training and several players in the organization are also getting ready to play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The international tournament is back for the first time since 2017, when the United States won the championship over Puerto Rico. The 2021 competition was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rosters for the World Baseball Classic have been set and the Cubs have 16 players participating in the tournament while a 17th player has been named to one of the nation's pitching pool. The 16 players are representing 10 countries. Italy and Canada have the most Cubs players with three apiece, while Puerto Rico and Colombia have two players representing them, respectively.
Puerto Rico
RHP Marcus Stroman
OF Nelson Velázquez
Japan
OF Seiya Suzuki
Israel
1B Matt Mervis
Canada
OF Owen Caissie
IF/OF Jared Young
RHP Curtis Taylor
Italy
IF/OF Miles Mastrobuoni
OF Ben DeLuzio
RHP Vinny Nittoli
Mexico
RHP Javier Assad
Colombia
RHP Danis Correa
IF Fabian Pertuz
Great Britain
IF B.J. Murray
Cuba
LHP Roenis Elias
Australia
IF Liam Spence
Left-handed pitcher Branden Noriega has also been added to Great Britain's roster as a part of their Designated Pitcher Pool. Noriega was picked in the 11th round of the 2022 draft by the Cubs.
"Each Federation Team may identify a designated pool of 10 pitchers who are eligible to participate in one or more consecutive rounds. The list is submitted to WBCI at the time the Provisional and Final rosters are due."
Earlier in the offseason we saw preliminary rosters that included a handful of other Cubs who are no longer playing in the World Baseball Classic. The most notable name is right-handed hitting infielder/outfielder Trey Mancini, who signed with the Cubs in January. He had initially committed to playing for Italy, but he withdrew from the competition because he said he wants to focus on his new team and establish a good rapport with teammates as one of the veterans on the team.
Here are all the other names who once appeared on World Baseball Classic rosters who will now be in Cubs camp throughout spring training.
INF Nick Madrigal
INF Esteban Quiroz
RHP Rowan Wick
IF/OF Christopher Morel
C Miguel Amaya
RHP Adbert Alzolay
Out of that group, Nick Madrigal, Christopher Morel, Rowan Wick and Adbert Alzolay will be competing in spring training for a permanent role on the Opening Day roster for the Cubs.
The World Baseball Classic will begin March 7, with the title game taking place on March 21.
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