GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Nearly two years after retiring, left-hander Bruce Chen is preparing to pitch for China in the World Baseball Classic.

Chen, 39, retired after the Cleveland Indians designated him for assignment on May 15, 2015, and no other team claimed him off waivers. When the team from China reached out to him late last year, Chen wondered if it was seeking a pitching coach.

“Two days later they told me they wanted me to pitch,” Chen said Wednesday.

The Indians had hired him as a cultural development coordinator and supported his decision to get back on the mound. Chen’s main worry was how his decision would be received. His grandparents were born in China but he grew up in Panama and pitched on its team in 2006 and 2009.

“I was afraid people in Panama wouldn’t like it but when the news broke, people were excited,” Chen said. “I’m excited to get to honor my grandparents.”

Chen is taking several family members with him to Tokyo, where China will play its opening games. His 13-year-old daughter is learning the language in school and will serve as his translator with teammates.

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Chen pitched in the majors for 17 years, going 82-81 with a 4.68 ERA. He played for the Braves, Phillies, Mets, Expos, Reds, Astros, Red Sox, Orioles, Rangers, Royals and Indians. He started two games for Cleveland in 2015 and went 0-1, giving up nine runs in 61/3 innings. When no other team wanted him, he decided it was time to move on.

“I wasn’t like Mariano Rivera, who announced his retirement at the start of the year,” Chen said. “I didn’t know when my last game was going to be but I was fine with retirement.”

ROYALS: Left-hander Travis Wood and Kansas City finalized a $12 million, two-year contract.

Wood gets $4 million this year and $6.5 million in 2018, and the agreement includes an $8.5 mutual option for 2019 with a $1.5 million buyout.

DODGERS: Reliever Sergio Romo signed a $3 million, one-year deal after nine seasons with San Francisco.

Romo’s deal includes $250,000 in performance bonuses, with $125,000 each for appearing in 50 and 60 games. He’s likely to be the Dodgers’ setup man for closer Kenley Jansen.

BRAVES: Infielder Sean Rodriguez had surgery to repair the rotator cuff in his left shoulder.

General Manager John Coppolella said Rodriguez will miss an “indeterminate period of time.” Coppolella said the team “won’t rule him out for the year.” Rodriguez throws and hits right-handed.

METS: The team will return to West Point to play Army in an exhibition game for the first time in 33 years. The game will be held March 31.


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