Israel has added a Major League pitcher to the roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
HUGE! 🇮🇱⚾️ @Orioles' Dean Kremer is officially joining #TeamIsrael for the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic! He announced it on the @MaxMannisPod, out today.https://t.co/mEO14ku0xF pic.twitter.com/ihYvGShpsJ
— Israel Baseball 🇮🇱⚾️ (@ILBaseball) July 7, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starter Dean Kremer announced on the Max Mannis Podcast that he will pitch for Israel at the 2026 WBC, his second appearance in the event for the Middle Eastern country. He made one start for Israel at the 2023 WBC, going four innings and allowing no runs on three hits with a walk and four strikeouts in a 3-1 win against Nicaragua.
Kremer has made 17 starts for the Orioles in 2025, posting a 4.53 ERA in 101 1/3 innings of work with 81 strikeouts, 26 walks, and a 1.322 WHIP.
Both of Kremer’s parents were born in Israel, though Kremer was born in Stockton, California. He’s made 113 appearances over six MLB seasons, all with Baltimore, compiling a 4.33 ERA and a 1.319 WHIP in 601 1/3 innings of work with 517 strikeouts and 203 walks.
Israel is assigned to Pool D for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which will also include Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and the Netherlands, and will be played at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, from March 6-11, 2026.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo: Dean Kremer (17) aims a pitch during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Nicaragua, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
