DRO approves Evan Longoria to participate for Team USA in World Baseball Classic...

Courtesy of espn.com, here's the link:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldclassic2009/news/story?id=3998363

Third baseman Evan Longoria will be joining Team USA, according to Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman.

Friedman said USA Baseball called late Thursday night requesting that Longoria join the team and the Rays agreed.

Team USA has been hit by a rash of injuries.

First baseman and cleanup hitter Kevin Youkilis was ruled out for the rest of the tournament Wednesday because of mild ankle and foot injuries.

Four other Americans have been sidelined by injuries since the start of round two, and there was concern in the U.S. dugout when third baseman David Wright fouled a ball off his foot in the first inning.