Fernando Tatis Jr. has never suited up for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. However, one of the best players in the sport expects to make his debut in 2026, according to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin.
“They haven’t made it official, but there’s really good talks out there,” Tatis told The Athletic. “It’s a matter of me staying healthy the rest of the season, putting everything that’s more important in front, and then we’ll see how that goes.”
Tatis and the San Diego Padres are trying to win a tough National League West and make a run at the World Series. Tatis did not play in 2022, the season preceding the last World Baseball Classic, due to a PED suspension. However, he has some added incentive to play in 2026. His father, Fernando Tatis Sr., has been named the hitting coach for the Dominican Republic.
“Man, it’s just behind winning a World Series,” Tatis said of the importance of winning the World Baseball Classic. “Representing my country, playing right next to my Dominican fellows is something that I cherish, something that I always wanted as a kid. Definitely looking forward to it.”
In 2023 the Dominican Republic went 2-2, failing to qualify for the next stage. However, with Tatis making himself available, the Team could be a juggernaut if other Dominican-born players follow suit.
Since returning from his 80-game PED suspension that spanned the end of the 2021 and beginning of the 2022 seasons, he has a .814 OPS with 52 home runs and 46 stolen bases. He has a National League-best six home runs this season. Tatis could in fact be even better in a high-stakes tournament like the World Baseball Classic. In the postseason, he has a .1.328 career OPS with six home runs in 13 games.
Photo: Fernando Tatis Jr. reacts while batting during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
