SARASOTA, FLA. — For weeks, Shane Victorino insisted he was concentrating more on preparing to play for the Philadelphia Phillies this season than possibly being named to the United States' team for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

That didn't mean, though, that the St. Anthony's alum from Maui, wasn't interested in wearing red, white and blue.

So, upon arriving yesterday to Ed Smith Stadium for the Phillies' spring-training game against the Cincinnati Reds, Victorino spoke to Team USA manager Davey Johnson, who asked him to join the team, replacing injured Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore.

"Am I going to get at-bats?" Victorino asked.

"I wasn't trying to be a jerk or anything," he said later. "But I'm not one of those guys, like some of the other superstars on the team, that's that good that they can just take the time off. I want to make sure I'm prepared for the season. Davey said, 'Yeah, with only four outfielders, you'll definitely get an opportunity. You'll get your at-bats.' "

With that, the Flyin' Hawaiian agreed to play for Team USA.

Victorino, who batted .293 with 14 homers, 58 RBI and 36 stolen bases, is expected to split time with Detroit's Curtis Granderson. Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Colorado's Brad Hawpe are the only other outfielders.

The U.S. team, which includes Victorino and shortstop Jimmy Rollins, will work out Monday at the Phillies' complex in Clearwater, Fla., and play exhibitions Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before opening the tournament March 7 in Toronto against Team Canada.

ATHLETICS

WILLIAMS PITCHES TWO SCORELESS INNINGS

Right-hander Jerome Williams made his first appearance in a big league uniform in nearly two years, working two scoreless innings for Oakland in an 8-5 exhibition loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Phoenix.

Williams, a non-roster invitee to the A's camp, has not pitched since the Washington Nationals put him on he disabled list after a start May 15, 2007.

"It was weird to be on the mound again and throw in a major league baseball game," said the Waipahu High alum. "Last year I had no spring training."

Williams hasn't won a game in the majors since beating the Houston Astros on Sept. 25, 2005. He carries a seven-game losing streak into the season.

"I was trying to get rid of the butterflies in my stomach," Williams said. "It was like, 'Here I go again.' But once I got the adrenaline going I felt confident about things. I know there are a lot of guys here fighting for a spot and I am one of them. I want to show them what I can do."

IN THE COURTS

FEDS IN BONDS CASE TO APPEAL EVIDENCE RULING

Barry Bonds' perjury trial was delayed indefinitely yesterday after federal prosecutors notified the judge overseeing the case that they will appeal her decision to exclude key evidence from the jury.

Jury selection, which has been set to start Monday, "will not proceed until further notice," according to a filing yesterday by the clerk for U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco.

Prosecutors told Illston of their intention to appeal a couple of hours after Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, said at a court hearing that he would not testify at the slugger's perjury trial. Illston had barred prosecutors from showing the jury three positive steroid tests allegedly belonging to Bonds and other vital evidence unless Anderson took the witness stand to authenticate them.

Bonds is accused of lying to a grand jury in 2003 when he denied that he knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs.

A reluctant and annoyed Illston told lawyers earlier Friday that, in the event of an appeal, she would have little choice but to wait until the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decides on it.

Illston noted that 90 prospective jurors had been planning to show up to court Monday and that court staff and security personnel had been preparing for an expected crush of media and onlookers.

Bonds' attorneys argued against delaying the trial in a court filing late Friday.

ELSEWHERE

Dodgers: Trying to secure a spot in the Los Angeles rotation after missing 1 1/2 seasons due to shoulder operations, right-hander Jason Schmidt threw only 10 of 21 pitches for strikes yesterday in a "B" game against the Chicago White Sox.

Diamondbacks: Arizona ace Brandon Webb was scratched from his first spring start yesterday because of a sore right forearm. The right-hander expects to make his next scheduled start Wednesday against Mexico in Tucson.

Mets: Left-hander Johan Santana was scratched from his second straight start by New York because of a sore left elbow, and missed yesterday's scheduled "B" game against Italy's national team at Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Phillies: Adam Eaton's stay with Philadelphia ended yesterday when the team released the 31-year-old, right-hander, who is owed $9 million by the Phillies. "I don't think upset is the right word," Eaton said. "Underachieve? Yeah."