Neither Mike Trout nor Bryce Harper is on the United States’ preliminary roster for the World Baseball Classic, according to a report.
The New York Post says a preliminary 50-player roster needed to be submitted in October, and neither of the two former MVPs were on the list. Harper’s agent told the Post’s Joel Sherman that the Washington Nationals outfielder will not play in the event. Trout has not said definitively whether he will play, though the Angels star did not participate in the last WBC.
The WBC has been held three times since its first year in 2006, with countries from around the world sending teams to participate, similar to the World Cup. Japan has won the event twice, while the US’ best finish was fourth place in 2009.
A final roster is due in January. Chris Archer, Nolan Arenado, Jake Arrieta, Kris Bryant, Eric Hosmer, Ian Kinsler, Corey Kluber, Jonathan Lucroy, Andrew Miller, Buster Posey, David Price, Max Scherzer, Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Verlander, Christian Yelich, Dellin Betances and Noah Syndergaard have already committed to the US team.
