Last call

• For the first time in 10 years, center fielder Carlos Gomez did not play winter ball in the Dominican Republic. But he prepared for his stint in the World Baseball Classic by working out with former American League MVP Manny Ramirez.

• Right-hander Yovani Gallardo is particularly excited to pitch in the Classic after missing the event in 2009, when he was coming back from knee surgery, though he said it would be strange to face Team USA's Ryan Braun or Jonathan Lucroy. Gallardo nearly faced Braun at the 2006 All-Star Futures Game, but he retired Cubs prospect Eric Patterson on an inning-ending comebacker with Braun on deck.

Gallardo planned to report to Maryvale Baseball Park before the end of this week to begin ramping up his workouts for the Classic.

• Braun scored the day's best dig. Joking about Lucroy's spot on the roster, he said, "It's amazing. I didn't even know Team USA had a bullpen catcher, so I'm really excited."