Article: Sheets left off Classic roster; He sends regrets to Team USA

Had Ben Sheets given Team USA general manager Bob Watson the thumbs up, the Milwaukee Brewers ace would have been included on his country's roster for the World Baseball Classic.

"If he was 100%, he would be on the club," Watson said. "He'd probably be the No. 1 or 2 starter. That's how I feel about him."

In a frank telephone conversation Monday with Watson, however, Sheets could not assure him that he would be at or close to peak physical condition when Team USA begins first-round play in the 16- nation Classic on March 7 in Phoenix. Accordingly, the 27-year-old right-hander was not included when Team USA announced its 30-man roster Tuesday.

Barring injury-related substitutions, the Brewers ...

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