2026 World Baseball Traditional: Shohei Ohtani Not Pitching For Japan

[ad_1] All of us keep in mind the epic championship sport of the 2023 World Baseball Traditional when Shohei Ohtani struck out Workforce USA slugger Mike Trout to offer Workforce Japan its third title in 5 editions of the event.

Now, we're gearing up for the 2026 WBC, which is able to see Ohtani and Japan attempt to defend their title within the 20-team competitors that features a stacked USA squad in search of redemption. Among the many gamers dedicated to Workforce USA embrace Yankees famous person Aaron Choose, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.

We're counting down till the opening pitch of the event and bringing you the newest information and updates as rosters get introduced.

When is the 2026 World Baseball Traditional? The 2026 WBC will probably be held from March 5–17. Twenty groups have been positioned into 4 swimming pools with the highest two groups from every pool advancing to the quarterfinals. Video games in Pool A will probably be performed at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Video games in Pool B will probably be performed at Daikin Park, house of the Astros. Video games in Pool C will probably be performed on the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Video games in Pool D will probably be performed at LoanDepot Park, house of the Marlins.

Pool Play: March 5-11 Quarterfinals: March 13–14 (Daikin Park, Houston; LoanDepot Park, Miami) Semifinals: March 15 (LoanDepot Park, Miami) Remaining: March 17 (LoanDepot Park, Miami) Jan. 31 Shohei Ohtani not pitching for Japan The Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way famous person has determined that he'll solely hit within the 2026 World Baseball Traditional, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts revealed. Ohtani pitched for the primary time since August 2023 final season, doing so via the playoffs en path to the Dodgers repeating as World Collection champions and Ohtani successful his third consecutive MVP award.

Jan. 29 Braves proper fielder Acuña and Brewers slugger Chourio are among the many prime MLB abilities who'll play for Venezuela on the WBC. Acuña was a part of Venezuela's roster for the 2023 version and later posted a stellar season with the Braves wherein he hit 41 homers and had 73 stolen bases. After lacking a lot of the 2024 season with a torn ACL, he returned to the Braves in 2025 to provide a productive marketing campaign (21 HRs, .935 OPS) in 2025. Chourio has been a breakout star for the Brewers, posting not less than 20 homers in his first two seasons with Milwaukee.

On the opposite facet, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will sit out the WBC. The 2-time World Collection champion represents Venezuela, however the Astros reportedly requested him to sit down out this 12 months. The nine-time All-Star suffered a hand harm on the 2023 event when he was hit by a pitch, which affected his efficiency throughout that season (missed 43 video games). Altuve slashed .265/.329/.442 with a .771 OPS, recording 26 HRs and 77 RBIs in 155 video games.

Jan. 28 Blue Jays star Guerrero will go well with up for the Dominican Republic in his WBC debut. Guerrero, a two-time Silver Slugger and five-time All-Star, totaled 23 house runs, 84 RBIs and 4.6 wins above substitute in 156 regular-season video games final 12 months for the Blue Jays — who gained the American League pennant — whereas posting a .292/.381/.467 slash line. Within the postseason (18 video games), Guerrero totaled eight HRs and 15 RBIs, whereas posting a .397/.494/.795 slash line.

Jan. 27 Diamondbacks third baseman Arenado is making a workforce change for the WBC. The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner (who was traded by the Cardinals to the D-backs earlier this month) will be a part of Workforce Puerto Rico on this 12 months’s occasion. Arenado represented Workforce USA in 2023 and 2017. He batted .385 for Workforce USA of their runner-up effort in 2023, whereas serving to the workforce win all of it in 2017.

Puerto Rico's infield will probably be anchored by Arenado and Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. Nonetheless, the workforce will probably be with out Carlos Correa after the Astros star infielder stated he did not have the insurance coverage in his contract to take part. Correa helped Puerto Rico earn the silver medal in 2017 and had sat out the 2023 tourney after the beginning of his baby.

Oneil Cruz locked in for Dominican Republic Pirates slugger Cruz will probably be making his WBC debut when he joins the D.R. squad in March. The 27-year-old, who participated within the 2025 MLB All-Star House Run Derby, joins a gifted roster that already consists of Padres proper fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., Mets left fielder Juan Soto, and Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Cruz led the Pirates in house runs (20) and stolen bases (38) this season.

Jan. 26 Japan's roster will characteristic eight MLB stars The defending champions can have a stacked workforce, with Japan finalizing all however one roster spot for his or her WBC marketing campaign. Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto confirmed he'll play, becoming a member of teammate Ohtani, Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, Padres reliever Yuki Matsui, White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami, Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto and free agent right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.

Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, who performed on Japan's workforce in 2023, will sit out this one. It will likely be the primary WBC for Suzuki, who helped Japan win gold on the 2020 Olympics.

Jan. 15 Hats launched for all 20 groups We now have caps! Which one is your favourite?

Kershaw could have simply completed his 18-year MLB profession with the Dodgers, however the three-time Cy Younger Award winner will pitch for Workforce USA. This would be the first time that Kershaw pitches within the WBC. Earlier than Bregman makes his anticipated debut for the Cubs, the newly signed star third baseman will don the Workforce USA uniform for the WBC.

They'll be a part of a Workforce USA squad headlined by Phillies slugger Bryce Harper, who will play go well with up after lacking out on the 2023 version attributable to surgical procedure. The 33-year-old Harper hit 27 house runs and recorded an .844 OPS in 2025 because the Phillies gained the Nationwide League East. It will likely be Harper's first time taking part in on the WBC.

Jan. 13 Blue Jays catcher Kirk has been named captain of Workforce Mexico for the WBC. Kirk will lead a MLB-heavy lineup that features stars like Jarren Duran, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda. The 27-year-old backstop is coming off his second All-Star look and was a key a part of the Blue Jays reaching the World Collection. The Tijuana native slashed .282/.348/.421 with 15 house runs and 76 RBIs through the 2025 season.

Clement, 29, helped the Blue Jays attain the World Collection whereas additionally setting a postseason file together with his 30 hits. He completed the postseason with a .411 common, one homer, six doubles, 9 RBIs, 13 runs scored and a .977 OPS.

All-Star slugger Buxton can even be a part of Workforce USA. The 32-year-old outfielder had a profession season with the Twins, producing homers (35), RBIs (83) and runs scored (97). Buxton additionally earned his first Silver Slugger of his profession.

Jan. 11 Workforce Canada will probably be with out its star participant, as Dodgers first baseman Freeman has reportedly withdrawn from the WBC. With the 36-year-old sitting out the event after serving to the Dodgers win back-to-back World Collection titles, the Canadians will lean on Mariners slugger Josh Naylor at first base. In different Workforce Canada information, Angels reliever Jordan Romano has additionally reportedly pulled out, whereas Cubs beginning pitcher Jameson Taillon will participate.