Image credit:Sandy Alcantara (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Team Dominican Republic has put together a 30-man roster that may rival the one that won the 2013 World Baseball Classic. 

Team D.R.’s lineup features outfielders Juan Soto and Julio Rodriguez, an infield that has more stars than spots with shortstops Wander Franco, Willy Adames and Jeremy Peña, third basemen Manny Machado and Rafael Devers, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. And the team’s general manager, Nelson Cruz, will also be available as a DH.

But the Dominican team has always had potent hitters. This year’s team also sports one of the best pitching staffs in the World Baseball Classic. Marlins righthander Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 National League Cy Young winner, is the ace, but Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia and Johnny Cueto give the team plenty of starting pitching options.

The Dominican Republic team will be managed by Rays bench coach Rodney Linares.

Update: First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring), righthander Jose Leclerc (neck) and lefthander Jarlin Garcia (arm tightness) have withdrawn from the WBC due to injuries.  First baseman/third baseman Jeimer Candelario has been added to the roster.

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