NEW YORK — Spring training is expanding by nearly a week next year because of the World Baseball Classic.

Players will start reporting to training camps on Feb. 14, under an agreement between the players' association and the commissioner's office. Exhibition games will start about Feb. 25.

In most years, pitchers and catchers open workouts 45 days before opening day followed by position players five days later. Under that schedule, workouts would not have begun until Feb. 20.

Under the new schedule, all players on WBC rosters of China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and pitchers and catchers from other WBC teams must report to their major league clubs on Feb. 14, which will be the voluntary report date for all other pitchers, catchers and injured players.

Remaining WBC position players must report by Feb. 17, which will be the voluntary report date for all other major league position players.

The mandatory reporting date for non-WBC players was moved up to Feb. 22 from March 5.

Japan won the inaugural WBC in 2006, defeating Cuba 10-6 in the final. The United States was eliminated in the second round.

The second edition of the 16-nation tournament begins March 5, and first-round games are scheduled for Mexico City; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tokyo; and Toronto. Second-round games will be in Miami (March 14-18) and San Diego (March 15-19). Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles will host the semifinals (March 21-22) and championship (March 23).