Report: WBC approves rule change to add pitchers in later rounds
World Baseball Classic organizers have reportedly created a 10-member "designated pitcher pool," sources told Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
The new rule would allow national teams to add up to two pitchers following each round of the tournament. With that in mind, Team USA is already trying to enlist the services of non-committal lefthanders Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner.
Related: Bumgarner may reportedly join Team USA at WBC after 1st round
As it stands, the U.S. already has four starters committed for the tournament: Max Scherzer, Chris Archer, Marcus Stroman, and Danny Duffy. Pool play will begin March 10 in Marlins Park in a pool that includes the Dominican Republic, Canada, and Colombia.
While Bumgarner has made it clear that the timing of the event is what keeps him from committing, the appeal for Kershaw might be too much to say no.
Should Team USA advance to the semifinal, the game will be played in front of his home crowd at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Though it hasn't been finalized, a 38-name list of players is to be submitted by the Feb. 6 deadline.