IMG Academy alumnus Chris Perez to pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic

IMG Academy alumnus Chris Perez has been called up by Team USA coach Joe Torre to pitch in the World Baseball Classic. The two-time American League All-Star was the Cleveland Indians best closer last season with 39 games saved, and a 3.59 ERA. Perez had 59 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings. After the call-up Perez tweeted, “@ChrisPerez54: "I am happy to say that I will be pitching for Team USA in the upcoming 2013 WBC. #Honored #Humbled #Ready." 

Team USA will begin play 9:00 p.m. (ET) Friday, March 8 against Mexico.

To find out more about Perez, check out this interview we conducted with him in February of last year.