CHICAGO -- Miguel Gonzalez will join Jose Quintana as White Sox representatives during the World Baseball Classic, with Gonzalez pitching for Team Mexico. Quintana already had been confirmed as pitching for Colombia, making its first appearance in the Classic.
"This is my first time doing it, so I spoke to a couple of guys," Gonzalez said on Friday during SoxFest at the Hilton Chicago. "But I was thinking, 'Hey, if I get ready early, I'll be OK. I'll be fine.' It's going to be fun. I'm excited for it."
:: 2017 World Baseball Classic ::
"I'm excited. Everybody is excited in my country, too," Quintana said. "It's the first time we play in the WBC. That's an honor for me, to play for my country."
Quintana and Gonzalez started throwing a couple of weeks earlier than usually planned this offseason to get ready for the competition. Quintana came to SoxFest for Friday only and then was returning to Colombia to continue training.
Colombia, Canada, the United States and the Dominican Republic make up the Miami Pool from March 9-13. Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Italy play in the Jalisco first-round pool, with the games taking place in Gonzalez's hometown.
"So, that makes it even better," Gonzalez said. "It's going to be a blessing in disguise. Family members, friends and everyone is going to be there supporting me and they want me to do good, so I have to perform."
White Sox relievers Nate Jones and Player Page for David Robertson are expected to be part of Team USA's roster. Robertson has two years and $25 million remaining on his contract. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee early in the offseason, though it was considered a minor cleanup to an issue he experienced and pitched through involving his meniscus.