On Monday, Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera confirmed in an interview with Con Las Bases Llenas that he will represent Panama in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
When asked about playing for his home country, Herrera said, “It really means a lot to represent one’s homeland. It’s one of the most important things for an athlete outside of the professional level. I’m really happy to be participating in the next World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
Herrera did not participate in the 2023 edition of the tournament, and his absence was felt. Panama narrowly missed advancing to the quarterfinals, finishing fourth in the first-ever five-way tie in WBC history—all five teams in their group ended with a 2-2 record.
This time around, Herrera has made it clear: he will not miss the 2026 WBC.
While Panama’s 2023 roster was composed mostly of minor leaguers, domestic players, and talent from leagues in Asia, Herrera brings star power and a proven bat that could elevate the lineup significantly.
In 2025, Herrera has played left field, catcher, and designated hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals, putting together the best offensive season of his career. He’s slashing .287/.366/.441 with 10 home runs and a 129 wRC+. Though his appearances behind the plate have been limited this season, he’s expected to serve as Panama’s starting catcher and team leader in 2026.
Panama will be one of the tournament’s under-the-radar teams, but they have the potential to surprise. Expected to join Herrera in the lineup are Los Angeles Dodgers prospect José Ramos, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa, and New York Yankees utility man José Caballero. There’s also a possibility that outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. joins the roster, as he is currently in talks with the Panamanian federation about participating.
This could be Panama’s most talented WBC roster to date. After earning their first-ever win in the tournament during the 2023 edition, Panama is now looking to make history by advancing past the first round for the first time.
They’ll compete in Pool C alongside Canada, Cuba, Colombia, and host Puerto Rico, with games set to be played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan from March 6–11. Panama opens against Cuba on March 6, followed by matchups with Puerto Rico on March 7, Canada on March 8, and Colombia on March 9 in what is expected to be one of the most balanced and competitive groups in the tournament.
If Panama hopes to make a deep run, Iván Herrera will likely be at the heart of it.
Photo: Ivan Herrera watches his double during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
