Source: Murphy, Goldy to play for US in Classic
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The United States added two more All-Stars to what is turning into a powerful national team roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy and D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt have committed to play for Team USA in the Classic, set for March 2017, sources tell MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi.
Murphy and Goldschmidt are the last two National League Most Valuable Player runner-ups, with Goldschmidt placing second in the voting in 2015 and Murphy doing so this past season.
Murphy is coming off a career year in which he hit .347 with 25 home runs, 104 RBIs, an NL-best 47 doubles and a .595 slugging percentage for Washington. He struck out just 57 times.
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Goldschmidt hit .297 with 24 home runs, 95 RBIs, 32 stolen bases and an NL-best 110 walks for Arizona in 2016.
This will be the first World Baseball Classic for both players.
Goldschmidt will play predominately first base, his natural position. But Murphy could see time at designated hitter with Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler scheduled to play for Team USA as well.
Other Major League All-Stars scheduled to play for the U.S. include Max Scherzer, Chris Archer, Nolan Arenado, Buster Posey, Jonathan Lucroy, Brandon Crawford, Luke Gregerson and Christian Yelich.
The U.S. will open play March 10 in Miami against Colombia, as part of Pool C along with the Dominican Republic and Canada.