De Aza ready for World Baseball Classic

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Alejandro De Aza was contacted back in November about playing for the Dominican Republic in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

"I just didn't have the information or anything," said De Aza, adding that he received the official call about three weeks ago.

De Aza joins outfielder Alex Rios (Puerto Rico), right-handed starter Andre Rienzo (Brazil) and right-handed reliever Jesse Crain (Canada) as players in camp who will take part in the Classic. Minor Leaguer Andy Gonzalez also will play for Puerto Rico.

"It was the greatest feeling," said De Aza of being asked to play for his country. "I will go there just to be a part of it. That's what I'm thinking. I'm just going to try to do the little things to get me ready and go play."

Rios and De Aza will be part of Pool C, at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico. Rienzo plays in Pool A, in Japan, and Crain's Canadian team joins Team USA in Pool D, in Phoenix.