DALLAS -- Javier Vazquez will not pitch for the Diamondbacks in 2006, but there's a very good chance he could be toeing the rubber next spring for his native Puerto Rico.

The right-hander heads up a three-man contingent of D-Backs players that have received permission from the Players Association and Major League Baseball team owners to participate in the inaugural World Baseball Classic next March. On Monday, 177 eligible players were announced.

Infielder Alex Cintron could also play for Puerto Rico, while pitcher Edgar Gonzalez is eligible to pitch for Mexico.

Just because players have received permission to participate, it does not mean that they necessarily will. Sixty-man rosters must be submitted by Jan. 17, with the ultimate 30-man rosters finalized 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament. The final rosters must include a minimum of 13 pitchers and three catchers. MLB has committed to using 60 percent of Major League-affiliated players. All the players announced on Monday have the blessings of the Players Association and the team owners, who have collectively spent months in the initial culling process.

The World Baseball Classic, a 16-team tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation, will feature the world's best players competing for their home countries and territories for the first time. Fans will be able to follow the games exclusively online at MLB.com.

First-round actions will be played at four sites. Pool A, consisting of Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and China, will meet at the Tokyo Dome on March 3-5. Pool B, featuring the United States, Canada, Mexico and South Africa, will play at Chase Field, home of the Diamondbacks, and Scottsdale Stadium, the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants, on March 7-10.

Pool C is Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama and the Netherlands and will play at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 7-10. Pool D, featuring the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Australia and Italy, will play at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Fla., on March 7-10.

Two teams from each pool will advance to the second round, which takes place March 12-15 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium and Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The semifinals and finals will be held at San Diego's PETCO Park on March 18-20.

Vazquez was acquired by the Diamondbacks last offseason as part of a deal that sent Randy Johnson to the Yankees. As a veteran player traded in the midst of a multiyear contract, Vazquez had the right to request a trade and did so last month. Arizona has until March 15 to trade him. If he's not dealt by that point he can either rescind his request or he can elect to become a free agent.

Vazquez, who was the D-Backs Opening Day starter, went 11-15 with a 4.42 ERA in 33 starts.

Cintron, 26, had a solid season for Arizona, filling it at shortstop, second and third. The switch-hitter batted .273 overall -- .304 as a pinch-hitter -- with 19 doubles and eight homers in 330 at-bats.

Depending on what moves the Diamondbacks make this offseason, Cintron could start the 2006 campaign as the team's starting shortstop or second baseman, or he could fill the same role he did last season.

Gonzlez is highly regarded by the Diamondbacks, but has yet to have success at the big-league level. The 22-year-old was 0-9 with a 9.32 ERA in 10 starts for Arizona in 2004 and made just one appearance at the big-league level last year when he allowed four runs in one-third of an inning. Gonzalez had more success at Triple-A Tucson last year, going 11-6 with a 4.37 ERA in 28 games (24 starts).