According to a report by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, Canada already has 22 of its 30 players set for the World Baseball Classic, barring any injuries.
After missing the 2023 World Baseball Classic for precautionary reasons, Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor is set to play for Canada for the first time since the 2017 World Baseball Classic. After being traded to Seattle in July, Naylor hit .299/.341/.490 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 54 games. Naylor will be a major addition to the Canadian lineup and is expected to split time between first base and designated hitter.
Freddie Freeman is reportedly dealing with an injury but remains committed to playing for Canada once again after appearing in 2017 and 2023. He is expected to be available if healthy by March. Freeman, who turned 36 in September, had another outstanding season in 2025, hitting .295/.367/.502 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs. His biggest moment of the season came in Game 3 of the World Series against the Blue Jays, when his walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning delivered a win for the Dodgers in a classic game. If healthy, Freeman will alternate between first base and designated hitter with Josh Naylor.
Pitching remains a concern for Canada. Much like the United States, Canada has historically struggled to secure commitments from its top arms, and that appears to be the case once again for 2026. According to Davidi, Nick Pivetta, Canada’s clear ace, is unlikely to pitch in March. Mets starter Jonah Tong and Rangers prospect Mitch Bratt are both expected to be competing for rotation spots next spring, and their participation is also in doubt.
One pitcher who has reportedly committed to Canada is Michael Soroka. In 2025, Soroka pitched as both a starter and a reliever, emerging as a high-level bullpen arm. Over the past two seasons, he has recorded 65 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings with a 2.34 ERA as a reliever. He is expected to be part of Canada’s starting rotation, and with limited pitch counts in the World Baseball Classic, the format could suit him well, especially with an elite defense behind him.
Another likely starter is Blue Jays minor leaguer Adam Macko. Macko, who was born in Bratislava, Slovakia, and moved to Canada as a teenager, completed his first full season at the Triple-A level in 2025, working as both a starter and a reliever. He finished the season strong, posting a 3.86 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings during September. With limited starting options, Macko is expected to work as a starter, though his recent success out of the bullpen could translate well to the WBC environment.
Canada’s most notable bullpen arm to commit so far is Mariners reliever Matt Brash. After missing all of 2024 due to injury, Brash returned strong in 2025, posting a 2.47 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings. He is expected to serve as Canada’s closer in 2026, just as he did in 2023.
Canada’s projected starting lineup appears largely set:
DH — Freddie Freeman / Josh Naylor
C — Bo Naylor
1B — Josh Naylor / Freddie Freeman
2B — Edouard Julien
3B — Abraham Toro
SS — Otto López
LF — Tyler O’Neill
CF — Denzel Clarke
RF — Owen Caissie
Canada is the only team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic to have participated in every previous edition of the tournament without advancing past the first round. It is a hurdle the program is eager to clear, and this roster represents its best opportunity yet. This is also notably the first time Canada will not be grouped with the United States in pool play.
Canada will compete in Pool A in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Pool play runs from March 6–11 and includes Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama and Cuba. Canada opens against Colombia on March 7 and closes pool play March 11 in a potentially pivotal matchup against Cuba. The top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face one of the top two teams from Pool B in Houston.
Reported Canadian commitments:
IF — Josh Naylor
IF — Freddie Freeman
C — Bo Naylor
IF — Abraham Toro
IF — Otto López
IF — Edouard Julien
OF — Tyler O’Neill
OF — Denzel Clarke
OF — Owen Caissie
OF — Jared Young
IF — Trei Cruz
P — Michael Soroka
P — Cal Quantrill
P — Adam Macko
P — Curtis Taylor
P — Jordan Balazovic
P — Matt Brash
P — Rob Zastryzny
P — Eric Cerantola
P — Logan Allen
P — James Paxton
P — Phillippe Aumont
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo: Edouard Julien, right, celebrates with third base coach Tim Leiper as he runs the bases after hitting a home run against Great Britain during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Phoenix, Sunday, March 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
