Mazzieri details ‘wish list’ roster for Team Italy

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — At the moment, manager Marco Mazzieri’s roster for Italy in the 2017 World Baseball Classic is not unlike a child’s letter to Santa Claus.

“It’s more like a wish list,” Mazzieri said.

As of Monday afternoon, when the managers for the World Baseball Classic clubs were made available to reporters at the MLB Winter Meetings, Mazzieri did not have clarity from Major League Baseball on which members of his preliminary roster — or “wish list,” as it were — will actually be participating in the event. None of the 30 players confirmed Monday are playing for Italy.

Though nothing is set yet, one player not expected to be taking part for Italy is Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. He played for Italy in the 2013 tournament but is coming off the physically and emotionally draining experience of winning the World Series.

Italy is part of Group D and will compete against Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Mexico in round-robin play at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico. The Italian club’s first game is scheduled for March 9 against Mexico.

The Classic’s championship round will take place at Dodger Stadium on March 20-22.

Italy shocked the baseball world in 2013 with its win over Mexico to advance to the second round, where the magic ended with losses to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Mazzieri is hoping to get back some “veterans” from that experience — first baseman Chris Colabello, catcher Drew Butera, outfielder Chris Denorfia and relievers Jason Grilli and …

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