[Drake]

There were positive signals Tuesday night that Cincinnati Reds superstar Joey Votto would be added to Canada's roster for the World Baseball Classic ahead of Wednesday's deadline.
The first baseman from Toronto wants to play in the tournament, but the left knee he had surgery on last summer has cast some doubt on that.

To create some comfort on the part of the Reds, who signed him to a $225 million extension before last season, one possibility is that Votto joins the Canadian squad later to give Cincinnati more time to monitor his progress.

At the Classic, Votto could also ease his workload by splitting duties between first base and designated hitter with Justin Morneau.

Meanwhile, the Canadian squad did make one roster change Tuesday, naming left-handed Philadelphia Phillies prospect Jay Johnson of Sussex Corner, N.B., to the team in place of right-handed Milwaukee Brewers farmhand Nick Bucci, who withdrew after suffering a shoulder problem during a side session.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/201...lassic_canada/