Lefty Morales joins MLB squad for Japan Series
DENVER -- Free-agent left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales, who pitched for the Rockies this past season, has been added to the MLB All-Star squad that is heading to the Far East for the Japan All-Star Series.
Morales, who went 6-9 with a 5.37 ERA in 38 games (22 starts) for Colorado in 2014, will join Rockies first baseman and defending National League batting champ Justin Morneau on the trip. The MLB representatives will play a five-game series sandwiched between two exhibition games.
Japan Series 2014 will begin Tuesday with an exhibition game against the combined Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants in Osaka at Koshein Stadium at 2 a.m. MT. MLB.TV subscribers will be able to watch every game live and on-demand online and on supported mobile devices via the MLB.com At Bat app.
All-Star Series games are set for the Kyocera Dome in Osaka on Wednesday, the Tokyo Dome next Friday and Saturday, and the Sapporo Dome on Nov. 17 and 18. A final exhibition game will be played at Okinawa Cellular Stadium on Nov. 20.
The 29-man roster includes 14 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders, two outfielders and three infielders-outfielders. Here's a list of the full team:
PITCHERS (14)
Jeff Beliveau, Rays
Jerry Blevins, Nationals
Chris Capuano, free agent
Randy Choate, Cardinals
Jeremy Guthrie, Royals
Tommy Hunter, Orioles
Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners
Mark Melancon, Pirates
Franklin Morales, free agent
Hector Santiago, Angels
Matt Shoemaker, Angels
Jose Veras, Astros
Tsuyoshi Wada, Cubs
Rob Wooten, Brewers
CATCHERS (3)
Drew Butera, Dodgers
Erik Kratz, Royals
Salvador Perez, Royals
INFIELDERS (7)
Jose Altuve, Astros
Robinson Cano, Mariners
Alcides Escobar, Royals
Evan Longoria, Rays
Justin Morneau, Rockies
Eduardo Nunez, Twins
Carlos Santana, Indians
OUTFIELDERS (2)
Dexter Fowler, Astros
Yasiel Puig, Dodgers
INFIELDERS/OUTFIELDERS (3)
Chris Carter, Astros
Lucas Duda, Mets
Ben Zobrist, Rays
Here is the schedule of games (all times MT):
- Tuesday: Exhibition vs. Hanshin Tigers/Yomiuri Giants at Koshien (2 a.m.)
- Wednesday: Game 1 at Kyocera Dome, Osaka (2 a.m.)
- Friday, Nov. 14: Game 2 at Tokyo Dome (2 a.m.)
- Saturday, Nov. 15: Game 3 at Tokyo Dome (2 a.m.)
- Sunday, Nov. 16: Game 4 at Tokyo Dome (2 a.m.)
- Tuesday, Nov. 18: Game 5 at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (3 a.m.)
- Thursday, Nov. 20: Exhibition vs. Team Japan, Okinawa (2 a.m.)