"Astros slugger Carlos Lee, the all-time leader in home runs among major leaguers born in Panama, has decided to represent his country in the World Baseball Classic in March.

Jose Valverde, Wandy Rodriguez and even shortstop Miguel Tejada are on the Dominican Republic’s provisional roster, which was released Monday. Astros ace Roy Oswalt will play for Team USA.

Lee had been hesitant to commit to play for Panama as he waited to see how he recovered from the season-ending fractured left little finger he suffered Aug. 9.

Lee’s left little finger has healed, and he already started swinging the bat at home in Panama.

“We’re fine with the finger,” he said via cell phone from Panama. “I haven’t made contact with the ball, but swinging it’s fine.”

Lee and New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera are the top major league stars from Panama, and some in Panama haven’t forgiven Rivera for refusing to play for his country in the inaugural WBC in 2006."