Sixteen players in the Pirates' system were on the 60-man national rosters for the inaugural World Baseball Classic that were released last night

Most surprising was second baseman Jose Castillo's inclusion on the Venezuelan list
He had been uncertain about participating in the tournament, which takes place March 3-20, because of a knee injury that cost him the final six weeks of last season
But he received a clean bill of health from the Pirates' medical staff last week at the team's minicamp in Bradenton, Fla

The other six players from the Pirates' major-league roster are
----left fielder Jason Bay (Canada)
----starter Oliver Perez and catcher Humberto Cota (Mexico)
----relievers Damaso Marte and Salomon Torres (Dominican Republic), and
----reliever Roberto Hernandez (Puerto Rico)

The nine players who made the cut and have minor-league contracts with the Pirates are
----utilityman Yurendell DeCaster, outfielder Adam Boeve and third baseman Vince Rooi (Netherlands)
----starters Chris Rojas and Jonathan Albaladejo (Puerto Rico)
----catcher Ronny Paulino (Dominican Republic)
----first baseman Simon Pond (Canada)
----outfielder Brett Roneberg (Australia), and
----reliever Giovanni Carrara (Venezuela)

Rosters must be reduced to 30 the day before each team plays its first game