The World Baseball Classic returns next spring and Nationals' starter Max Scherzer has an interest in pitching for the United States.
Scherzer, 32, was 20-7 with a 2.96 ERA (141 ERA+), 0.97 WHIP and 284 strikeouts in 228 1/3 innings last season. He is a finalist for the National League Cy Young Award.
"I've been asked to participate, and I would love to do it," Scherzer told MLB.com.
Scherzer joins Chris Archer, Nolan Arenado, Jake Arrieta, Kris Bryant, Eric Hosmer, Ian Kinsler, Corey Kluber, Jonathan Lucroy, Andrew Miller, Buster Posey, David Price, Max Scherzer, Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Verlander, Dellin Betances, and Noah Syndergaard as confirmed players on Team USA's 50-man preliminary roster.
Jim Leyland will manage Team USA and Joe Torre is serving as GM. A preliminary roster was submitted last month, however, players can be added or subtracted at any point. The rosters do not have to be finalized until January.
Two noticeable omissions from the Team USA preliminary roster are Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. Neither is believed to have an interest in participating in the tournament.
"It's a long shot that you'll see either suiting up for [the tournament]," said one baseball official. "I'd be shocked."
The 2017 World Baseball Classic is set to open on March 7 and continue through March 22. The United States will participate in Pool C along with Canada, Columbia, and defending tournament champion Dominican Republic.
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