Pedroia named to US roster

But Beckett will be skipping WBC

By Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff  |  December 16, 2008

The first names are in. Daisuke Matsuzaka will again pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, Dustin Pedroia will represent the United States for the first time, and Josh Beckett will only be taking the ball for the Red Sox.

That last news should make manager Terry Francona slightly more comfortable.

While Francona said he wasn't worried about the position players on the WBC rosters, it was the pitchers that presented a problem. He cited the issues Mike Timlin faced in 2006 when his participation for the US left him with a tired arm.

"[It's] hard to run a good spring training when you have guys gone," Francona said last week at the winter meetings. "For me, it's a nightmare when we go on the road because we are the Red Sox and people pay good money, which I respect, to watch the game. But for us to get ready for our season, you cannot take the regulars that are left behind on every single road trip. It does not help you to get ready for the season.

"So there are some logistical nightmares, and there's a reason you want spring training. You want your guys to be together and you certainly worry about the pitchers, because they are not ready to compete yet, and it makes all of us nervous."

With Beckett's oblique injury at the end of the postseason, the Red Sox would have advised their ace against pitching in the WBC given the strain it puts on pitchers, according to a team source. The pitcher did not push the issue.

"Not terribly worried about the position players, other than the fact that it's hit or miss on how they play in the WBC because they are not ready to do that," Francona said, estimating that he thought he might have seven to nine of his players on WBC rosters.

Among players on the current Sox roster, Jason Bay (Canada) and David Ortiz (Dominican Republic) participated in the last WBC, as did Jason Varitek (US). Others, such as Kevin Youkilis, could be among those considered for the tournament, which runs March 5-23. Youkilis expressed interest in playing for the US when he accepted the Hank Aaron Award during the World Series.

Had Mike Lowell been healthy, he said he would have played for Puerto Rico. But because of his offseason hip surgery, he won't be ready to play.

Moyer stays a Phillie

Jamie Moyer agreed to a two-year contract that keeps the 46-year-old lefthander with the World Series champion Phillies. Moyer went 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 33 starts last season and is 35-21 with a 4.33 ERA in 74 starts since the Phillies acquired him from Seattle in August 2006. Philadelphia also confirmed it has agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with veteran righthander Chan Ho Park, who went 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances for the Dodgers last season . . . Phillies All-Star second baseman Chase Utley said he is recovering well from hip surgery and hopes to be ready for Opening Day. "I'm feeling good," said Utley, who walked with an exaggerated limp after having his right hip operated on Nov. 24. "I don't see any reason why I won't be ready for the start of the season barring any setbacks." . . . Looking to improve their infield defense, the Tigers finalized a one-year, $1 million contract with shortstop Adam Everett. Everett batted just .213 with two home runs and 20 RBIs in 48 games for the Twins last season . . . Outfielder Jason Michaels and the Astros agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract . . . Padres owner John Moores has hired Goldman Sachs to search for a potential buyer as he goes through a divorce.

Material from wire services was used in this report