The World Baseball Classic is getting closer, and more reports of players committing to the tournament are surfacing. Here’s the latest from around the world.
United States Gets Byron Buxton – Byron Buxton is joining Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to an announcement by USA Baseball on Instagram. Buxton is a two-time All-Star, Silver Slugger, Gold Glover and Platinum Glover. He joins Corbin Carroll, Aaron Judge and Pete Crow-Armstrong in the outfield.
Ernie Clement will also be joining Team USA, according to USA Baseball on X. He is a versatile defender and has broken out with the Toronto Blue Jays in the last two years. Since the start of 2024, he has a 7.7 bWAR and has played in 296 games.
Canada Will Be Without Freddie Freeman – According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, Freddie Freeman will not play in the World Baseball Classic. He is opting out for personal reasons. This is a tough break for Canada, as Freeman is one of the best players in baseball.
Jordan Romano will also not be joining Team Canada, per Davidi. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels this offseason after a subpar season. However, he is a two-time All-Star and notched 95 saves for the Blue Jays from 2021-2023.
While Freeman and Romano are out, Tyler Black and Liam Hicks are in, per Davidi. Black is a top 30 prospect for the Milwaukee Brewers and has made his MLB debut already. He has not found a consistent role in the big leagues, but he stole 55 bags in 2023 and has proven to be a good hitter in the minor leagues. Hicks made his debut last season and started 49 games at catcher. He hit six home runs as a rookie and collected 45 RBIs.
According to the Canadian Baseball Network’s Kevin Glew, Russell Martin and Stubby Clapp will be coaches for Canada this year. Clapp will be the third base coach. Martin is a three-time All-Star and has 14 years of big league experience. He was on the staff in 2023 as well.
Panama – Miguel Amaya will play in the World Baseball Classic after not playing in 2023. The veteran catcher played just 28 games with the Chicago Cubs last season and had a .814 OPS. He can also be an option at first base.
Additionally, Humberto Mejía, Alberto Baldonado, and Ariel Jurado will also play for Panama this year. Baldonado had a 3.29 ERA in 29 games in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Yomiuri Giants. Mejía had a 3.35 ERA in 25 games for the Chunichi Dragons. Jurado spent the 2025 season in Korea with the Samsung Lions. In 30 games, he had a 2.60 ERA and threw three complete games.
Nicaragua – JC Ramírez and Cheslor Cuthbert will play for Nicaragua this year, per Fernando Rayo. Cuthbert last played in the big leagues in 2020 and has 323 games of big league experience. He has primarily been playing winter ball since then. Ramírez last played in the big leagues in 2019. He has played in 142 big league games and has a 4.71 ERA.
Dominican Republic – According to Nelson Cruz, Freddy Peralta will be pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He is coming off a career year and is one of the best pitchers in the world. He is a two-time All-Star whom the Dominican Republic will be very comfortable giving the ball to.
Photo: Byron Buxton takes a swing during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)
