According to Rob Biertempfel on Twitter, the final rosters have been released for the 2013 World Baseball Classic and the only change among Pittsburgh Pirates players is Ivan De Jesus Jr withdrawing from Team Puerto Rico. Biertempfel says that De Jesus withdrew to stay in camp to compete for a major league job.
The final rosters include Jameson Taillon, Russell Martin and Chris Leroux for Team Canada. Wandy Rodriguez is scheduled to start for the Dominican team. Pirates closer Jason Grilli will play for Team Italy. Third baseman Stefan Welch will play for Australia, and catcher Ali Solis will player for Team Mexico.
Pool D of the first round of the WBC features three teams with Pirates players. Italy and Mexico face off on March 7th. Team Canada starts their schedule the next day against Italy, while that game will be followed by the first game from Team USA.
Team Australia is in Pool B and they begin play on March 2nd.
The Dominican Republic is in Pool C and their games start on March 7th.
There is word that Jameson Taillon will possibly start against Team USA on March 10th. He is schedule to throw his first game this Spring Training tomorrow, going up against another top prospect, Gerrit Cole. The noon game is an intrasquad contest at McKechnie Field and both top prospects are scheduled to pitch two innings. Taillon will then leave a few days later to join Team Canada.
