Rays' Longoria to replace Jones at WBC

Mar 20, 2009 - 1:46 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria on Thursday was tabbed to replace Chipper Jones on the United States' roster for the final round of the World Baseball Classic.

Longoria was on the provisional roster submitted by the U.S. prior to the start of the tournament.

"We're obviously disappointed to lose a player the caliber of Chipper Jones, but at the same time so very fortunate to add a player as talented as Evan Longoria," USA Baseball executive director Paul Seiler said.

"With the opportunity to make a roster change, Evan is too valuable not to have on our club."

Jones played in four games before he left the team with a strained right oblique muscle.

Team USA, which will play either Korea or Japan on Saturday in the semifinals, has also lost Dustin Pedroia (left side), Kevin Youkilis (sprained left ankle, left Achilles tendinitis) and Matt Lindstrom (strained right rotator cuff).