According to beat writer Anthony DiComo New York Mets players Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo have been added to the preliminary roster of Team Italy for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Italy is facing Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico in Jalisco, Mexico during first-round play. They open the tournament on March 9 against the hosts. In preparation to the WBC Italy is facing World Series Champion Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics on March 7 and 8 in Arizona.