New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - Each of the 16 teams participating in the 2009 World Baseball Classic submitted a provisional roster Monday containing up to 45 players.

Rosters will be trimmed down to 28 players by February 24.

The United States and Dominican Republic each contained an abundance of major league talent. Headlining the American squad are Boston Red Sox second baseman and 2008 American League MVP Dustin Pedroia and New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

Jeter returns to a United States squad that disappointed many in 2006, losing in the second round of the tournament. San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy and Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones will also make their second appearance for the Americans.

Other notable American players include Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman and AL rookie of the year Evan Longoria, Cleveland Indians centerfielder Grady Sizemore, Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan, and Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee.

The Dominican Republic will feature quite a potent offense, as Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who played for the United States in 2006, will play for the other country for which he is eligible. Joining him are St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and 2008 National League MVP Albert Pujols, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, and Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

The Dominican Republic lost in the semifinals of the 2006 tournament to eventual second-place Cuba. Other players to play for the Dominicans are Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero.

Japan won the World Baseball Classic in its inaugural year of 2006, with the tournament being played every three years. The Japanese will feature several prominent major leaguers, such as Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who earned the win in the championship game, and Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura.

Mets ace Johan Santana will pitch for his native Venezuelan team, as will Felix Hernandez of Seattle, Francisco Rodriguez of the Mets, Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs and Carlos Silva of Seattle.

The 2009 version of the tournament will feature the same format as the 2006 WBC, with the United States starting in a pool with Canada, Italy and Venezuela in a double-elimination round robin. All first round games for the Americans will be played at the Rogers Centre, home the Toronto Blue Jays.

The top two teams from each of the four pools will advance to the second round, which is performed in the same double-elimination format as the first round. The top two teams from the two pools will advance to a single elimination tournament to eventually determine a winner.