Adrian Gonzalez to play for Mexico in World Baseball Classic qualifier

PHOENIX -- Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will miss a portion of spring training camp as he plays for Team Mexico in their World Baseball Classic qualifier next week, but won't be the only Dodgers representative.

There will be two qualifiers for the 2017 WBC that will run from March 17-20. The qualifier in Mexicali includes Mexico, the Czech Republic, Nicaragua and Germany all fighting for one spot in next year's international baseball tournament. In the other qualifier, in Panama City, Colombia, France, pain and Panama square off.

Gonzalez has played for Mexico in the 2006, 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics, hitting .267/.431/.533 with three home runs, three doubles and 12 RBI in 14 total games.

Mexico will be managed by Adrian's brother and former Padres teammate Edgar Gonzalez.

Former Dodgers closer Eric Gagne is managing France.

Right-handed pitcher Sven Schuller, 20, is on the roster for Germany, while 19-year-old lefty Leonardo Crawford will pitch for Nicaragua. Crawford put up a 1.41 ERA in 15 games in his first professional season, with 74 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 63⅔ innings.

These two qualifiers will bring the 2017 WBC field to 15 countries, with one more set to join them from the fourth and final qualifying round in September in Brooklyn, featuring Brazil, Great Britain, Israel and Pakistan.