Machado talks about playing in the WBC (plus other notes)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Manny Machado confirmed today that he's going to represent the Dominican Republic in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, a way of honoring his family and allowing it to fulfill a dream.

"It's a great experience," he said. "It's a great tournament, so I always wanted to be a part of it, always wanted to represent our country. I always wanted to play for the Dominican. I'm just going to enjoy every moment of it. I'm going to try to represent the country and just enjoy myself overall.

"It's something that everybody enjoys doing it, to play for our country and represent where I came from, where my family came from. It's going to be something that's pretty cool."

Machado was born and raised in Miami, but the choice was an easy one.

"I grew up here. I was born here," Machado said. "I've played for Team USA before. I have in the past. In 18-U, we won the gold medal. But you know what? This is something beyond that.

"I think it's something that growing up, that my family always wanted. My mom and my grandfather, who is resting in peace right now, he always wanted to see me play for the Dominican. That's where we come from. That's where my family was born. I think this is more doing this for my mom and my family than anything else. I know they want to see me wear that uniform and see me out there, so it's going to be fun for them and be fun for me. We're just going to enjoy it and hopefully things go well and they're finally going to get their wish.

"This is not just for me. It's mostly for my grandfather and my parents. I know they've always wanted this. I know I've given them a lot and I think this is probably going to be the icing on the cake for me to be in the uniform where across the chest is where they were born and where they spent their lives. It's going to be pretty cool. And I get to beat Jonathan Schoop, too."

Machado said the commitment to the WBC won't disrupt his normal preparation for the season.

"Nothing will change," he said. "I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing. Same offseason. I'll probably just prepare a little more. I'll probably see more pitching. I work out with a couple of pitchers in the offseason, so probably get some more at-bats and kind of see some pitchers before.

"Other than that, nothing will change. I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing every year, get ready for the season like I'm going into the season."

Manager Buck Showalter found out today that Machado intended to play in the WBC.

"We've always kicked it around," Showalter said. "I'm sure we've had some conversations about it. We're always talking about the Caribbean World Series, but not lately. We talked about it today. He doesn't have to. That's a long way away. He's got his own thoughts on things.

"It will be a great time for him. I'm very supportive of it. Will help him next year getting ready, too. Will give him a chance to see some other guys at his position while he's getting at-bats. We kind of benefit from it. We get to see some more people."

Showalter said he's fine with players leaving spring training for the WBC. Schoop and Pedro Strop participated in 2013.

"I don't have any problem with it," Showalter said. "The people who are a lot more up to it than me embrace it and it's something that's important globally and our game is very global, so I'll support any of our guys who want to do it, including me. I had a good offer from a country. And if I take it, I can retire in that country."

Would Showalter really want to manage in the WBC later in his career?

"It would be an honor," he replied. "It's an honor for anybody to be asked to do that and be a part of a country. I think anybody who feels differently ... Everybody's different. If you've got players with some injuries and different stuff. I think every situation you've got to take as it comes, but I think it's a great honor and something we should all embrace."

* Jimmy Paredes is serving as the designated hitter tonight at Double-A Bowie after playing third base last night and going 0-for-3 with a walk, strikeout and run scored.

"He had an error on a ball coming in," Showalter said. "He's doing good, though. Jimmy's running a lot better. We'll see what happens when he's ready. What would you do?"

* Showalter offered up his appreciation of Chris Davis' aggressive baserunning last night that produced the Orioles' lone run, and for another heads-up play in the field in the first inning that resulted in an out and Logan Forsythe holding at third base.

"He's a well-rounded player," Showalter said. "This guy takes a lot of pride in that, takes a lot of pride in defense.

"He made a quick decision, man on third and nobody out, to come get that ball. I just said to him to give him a look and if you drop-step on that ball like most people do, he scores easily. But because he came and got the short-hop, which made it a tougher play, we were allowed to play the infield halfway in and ended up saving that run right out of the chute. A lot of things that go unnoticed. But he finds a way to contribute every night."

* The Orioles released Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Terry Doyle, who was 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in four starts.

Doyle, 30, was a combined 16-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 26 games last year at Norfolk and Bowie.

* The White Sox optioned former Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez to Triple-A Charlotte a day before their four-game series at Camden Yards.

Gonzalez made one start for the White Sox and allowed five runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings.