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Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

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Longoria called into WBC service

Posted Mar 19, 2009 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Mar 19, 2009 at 09:49 PM

Evan Longoria will get his wish. Word from the Rays tonight is the third baseman has been selected as an injury replacement for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He’ll head to Los Angeles this weekend and be in uniform for the U.S.‘s semifinal game Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

Longoria had been hoping for a call ever since Chipper Jones went down with an injury last weekend. Longoria could end up playing the field, as the remaining third baseman, David Wright, cracked a toenail when he fouled a ball off his foot last night and played the duration of the game in pain.

Don’t have any details yet on when Longoria will depart. He was scheduled to play for the Rays tomorrow in Dunedin, but I imagine that’s off.

Updating: Just got the official word, including a statement from USA Baseball executive director at CEO Paul Seiler:

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

Updating again: Here’s Andrew Friedman’s thought on the matter:

“Albeit brief, this should be a great opportunity for Longo. He’s played a lot this spring so he’s definitely ready to compete in that type of environment.”