U.S. opens vs. Mexico, Mauer will play WBC

NEW YORK (AP) — Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera is going to play for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Cabrera was among the first 32 players — 12 major leaguers — to commit to playing in the tournament that begins March 2 with games hosted by two-time defending champion Japan and Taiwan.

Minnesota’s Joe Mauer and the Mets’ David Wright will play for the United States. The team managed by Joe Torre has been placed in Pool D for the first round with Italy, Mexico (The Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez), and Canada (Toronto’s Brett Lawrie and Minnesota’s Justin Morneau).

The U.S. plays its first game March 8 against Mexico at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Torre is ready for some tough competition in the opening round of the tournament.

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