Gomez won’t play in Classic

Center fielder Carlos Gomez has informed Milwaukee officials that he will not play for the Dominican Republic’s entry to the World Baseball Classic, opting instead to focus on the Brewers and his final season before free agency.

That decision certainly did not bother Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, who is counting on the energetic Gomez to build on last season’s breakthrough. Roenicke is more comfortable keeping Gomez at Maryvale Baseball Park.

“You know, he’s got a lot of energy and he wants to help us play,” Roenicke said. “It’s a big year for him, what he does this year. That was part of the reason.”

With right-hander Nick Bucci’s withdrawal from Team Canada on Sunday, the Brewers still have 13 players participating in the Classic, the most of any team. Among them are left fielder Ryan Braun and catcher Johnathan Lucroy of Team USA, and starters Yovani Gallardo and Marco Estrada of Team Mexico.

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