LOS ANGELES, March 21 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria will be an injury replacement for Team USA's Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves at the World Baseball Classic.
Longoria will be in uniform for the Americans' game against Japan Sunday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
In 122 games last season, Longoria, last season's American League rookie of the year, hit 27 home runs with 85 RBI and a .272 batting average.
"It's nice to have Evan," Team USA Manager Davey Johnson said. "I'm not expecting to use him. He's an insurance policy. We're going to be in good shape on Sunday."
Jones left the squad earlier after playing four games because of a right side injury.
The injury-plagued Americans also have lost second baseman Dustin Pedroia (left side), first baseman Kevin Youkilis (ankle) and reliever Matt Lindstrom (rotator cuff).
