These Halos are set to play on Classic stage

This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels will be well-represented in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, as 25% of their 40-man roster will be participating in the tournament.

That includes Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, who are just two of the many superstars slated to participate in the Classic. Here’s a look at all 10 Angels players on the 40-man roster who are set to play in the tournament:

CF Mike Trout (Team USA)
Trout, the captain of Team USA, leaves Angels camp on March 6 and will train for the Classic in nearby Scottsdale. He’s expected to start in center but will be eased into action, as Team USA plays in Pool C against Great Britain on March 11, Mexico on March 12, Canada on March 13 and Colombia on March 15. Team USA is expected to advance to the semifinals in Florida, so Trout could be gone until as late as March 22.

RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani (Team Japan)
Ohtani starts on the mound against the A’s on Tuesday and heads to Tokyo on Wednesday to join Team Japan for Pool B play. The Angels have worked with Team Japan to map out Ohtani’s starts on the mound to get him ready for Opening Day. He’ll also serve as a designated hitter. Like Trout, Ohtani could be away from camp as late as March 22, depending on how Team Japan fares.

RHP Carlos Estévez (Team Dominican Republic)
Estévez is competing to be the club’s closer but will depart camp to head to Miami to join the Dominican team for Pool D play from March 11-15. Team Dominican Republic is also heavily favored to advance but doesn't have to travel, with the quarterfinals, semis and finals all taking place in Miami.

RHP Jaime Barría (Team Panama)
Barría is in the mix to be the club’s sixth starter and will compete for Team Panama, which begins Pool A play on March 8 against Chinese Taipei in Taiwan. Barría will get stretched out with Team Panama, whether he starts or pitches in long relief, as the Angels want him to be ready in case he’s the sixth starter.

LHP Patrick Sandoval (Team Mexico)
Sandoval will be a starting pitcher for Team Mexico but won’t have to travel far, playing in Pool C in Phoenix. Team Mexico is also training in Scottsdale -- and Sandoval is one of the club’s main starters, joining Julio Urías, José Urquidy and Taijuan Walker.

LHP José Quijada (Team Venezuela)
Quijada will serve as one of Team Venezuela’s top lefty relievers after his breakout 2022. He’s already considered a lock to be in the Angels’ bullpen and will depart for Miami for Pool D play.

RHP Zack Weiss (Team Israel)
Weiss is competing for a spot in the bullpen after a solid showing late last season and will pitch in relief for Team Israel. He’ll be in Florida for Pool D play.

INF David Fletcher (Team Italy)
Fletcher is firmly in the middle-infield mix for the Angels but will collect some airline miles this spring, as Team Italy is in Pool A with games in Taiwan from March 8-13. He’s expected to play both short and second for Team Italy.

INF Luis Rengifo (Team Venezuela)
Like Fletcher, Rengifo will see plenty of time in the Angels' middle infield but is expected to play in a super-utility role for Team Venezuela. Rengifo is another Angels player headed to Florida, with Venezuela slated for Pool D.

INF Gio Urshela (Team Colombia)
Urshela is expected to be Team Colombia’s starting third baseman, but will see action all over the infield for the Angels this season. He’ll also be able to remain local, as Team Colombia is in Pool C.