Red Sox IF Youkilis to play in World Baseball Classic

Dec 26, 2008 - 7:19 PM BOSTON (Ticker) -- Boston Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis reportedly is set to play in the World Baseball Classic this March.

Youkilis will accept an invitation to play on Team USA, the Boston Globe reported on Friday.

Youkilis batted .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBI for the Red Sox last season, finishing third in the Most Valuable Player voting.

Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player, told WEEI.com last week that he would be on the U.S. team.

Others reportedly committed to playing for Team USA include Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees, David Wright of the New York Mets, Brian McCann and Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves, Grady Sizemore of the Cleveland Indians and John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The U.S. team will begin play March 7 against Canada in Toronto. The semifinals and finals are set for Dodger Stadium March 21-13.

Rosters will be officially set in early January.