SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Former Yankees All-Star center fielder Bernie Williams is expected to play winter baseball in his native Puerto Rico.

Williams, who never announced his retirement after New York let him go in 2006, is expected to join the Carolina Giants in about a week, said Enrique Cruz, the team's general manager.

"With a ballplayer like him, even though he hasn't been playing for two years, you can't say no," Cruz told The Associated Press.

Cruz said the 40-year-old outfielder wants to get back into the game in hopes of joining Puerto Rico's squad in next year's World Baseball Classic.

As New York's center fielder from 1991-2006, Williams made five All-Star teams, won four Gold Gloves and was selected MVP of the 1996 AL championship series. He turned down the Yankees' offer of a minor league contract to come to spring training in 2007.