Gagne, Dempster planning to pitch for Canada at WBC

Team Canada's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic just got a boost of seniority.

Former major-league pitchers Eric Gagne and Ryan Dempster are planning to represent Canada - which begins play on March 9 against the Dominican Republic - according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

When Gagne and Dempster were pitching in the majors, they previously declined invitations to play for Canada at the 2006 WBC.

The 41-year-old Gagne hasn't pitched in the majors since 2008 as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. He did pitch in 2016, however, appearing in one game for the Ottawa Champions of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball.

Gagne won the Cy Young award in 2003 as a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers when he converted 55 saves, struck out 137 batters, and recorded a WHIP of 0.69. From 2002-04, Gagne was the most dominant reliever in all of baseball, with a combined ERA of 1.79 and 152 saves.

Dempster, 39, hasn't pitched since 2013 for the Boston Red Sox. The veteran right-hander played for 16 years in MLB with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Red Sox.

"I was putting up some really good numbers in beer-league softball," Dempster said.

"If everything keeps trending this way and going the way it’s going, I’m all in and excited. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think I can get guys out and help us win."

Davidi also noted that Seattle Mariners starter James Paxton and Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jameson Taillon will not participate this year, so the boost of veteran leadership could benefit Canada.