Gio Gonzalez to pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic

Gonzalez gives Team USA another Cy Young-caliber starter. (US Presswire)

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez will pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic this March, Team USA announced Saturday.

The news is big for Team USA. Kris Medlen was originally part of the roster but decided against playing due to the birth of his first child. That left Team USA with a starting stable of R.A. Dickey, Derek Holland and Ryan Vogelsong. Adding Gonzalez immediately gives USA a pair of aces at the top.

Gonzalez, 27, went 21-8 with a 2.89 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 207 strikeouts in 199 1/3 innings last season. He finished third in NL Cy Young voting behind Dickey and Clayton Kershaw.

The U.S. will begin pool play March 8 against Mexico at Chase Field (Phoenix, home of the Diamondbacks) at 9 p.m. ET on MLB Network.

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