Jose Reyes to play for Dominican Republic in World Baseball Classic

Although Team USA has yet to include any Mets on its World Baseball Classic roster, New York’s National League team will at least have two representatives in the tournament. Jose Reyes will represent the Dominican Republic for the fourth time this March, joining Asdrubal Cabrera of Venezuela as the only Mets players who have been announced as participants.

Reyes was instrumental in helping the Dominican Republic win the tournament in 2013. Over 35 at-bats, he hit .314/.351/.486 with one home run, one triple, and three RBIs. Reyes led off the team’s championship victory over Puerto Rico with a double off the wall, later scoring the first run on an Edwin Encarnacion double.

The DR should have a good shot at repeating their title. Although final rosters have yet to be announced, a preliminary list the team submitted in November included Robinson Cano, Edwin Encarnacion, Welington Castillo, Carlos Martinez, Dellin Betances, Nelson Cruz, Starling Marte, Adrian Beltre, Manny Machado, Gregory Polanco and one other Met: Jeurys Familia.

Although Familia will likely be suspended by Major League Baseball for part of the 2017 regular season under baseball’s domestic violence policy, that will not impact his ability to play in the World Baseball Classic.

Reyes played shortstop in previous tournaments, but it is unclear where he will play now that he has moved away from the position at the major league level. Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto were both included on Team Italy’s preliminary roster, although neither has indicated whether he will play.