Baseball Canada adds four players including ex-Jay Richmond to early WBC roster

Baseball Canada is adding four players to its provisional roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Scott Richmond was named to the list Thursday along with double-A outfielder Rene Tosoni, double-A left-hander Mark Hardy and single-A right-hander Jameson Taillon.

One additional player will be announced at a later date. Each federation must submit its final 28-player roster by Feb. 20.

The original 23-man provisional roster was released last Saturday. That list included major-league stars like Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, catcher Russell Martin of the Pittsburgh Pirates and closer John Axford of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Canada will open the World Baseball Classic against Italy on March 8 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., Canada will play the rest of its first-round games at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Canada meets Mexico on March 9 and the United States on March 10.

At the completion of the first round, the top two teams in each of the four pools will advance to the second round.

Japan won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006 and successfully defended its title in 2009. Canada did not make it to the second round at either event.

Canada will play exhibition games against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 5 and the Cincinnati Reds on March 6 at each club's respective spring training facility.