According to a report from Ronny Ramos Jr of Panama media company COS, Panama and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are in discussions about his potential participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). There is reported mutual interest, and should he suit up for Panama, Gurriel Jr. would be a major boost to the national team’s offense.
Gurriel Jr., who defected from Cuba in 2016 following the Caribbean Series in the Dominican Republic, spent time in Panama while awaiting MLB free agency. During that period, he acquired Panamanian citizenship, making him eligible to represent Panama under WBC eligibility rules. He eventually signed with an MLB team after showcasing his talents in Panama City.
Now, nearly a decade later, Gurriel could make his WBC debut in dramatic fashion: facing Cuba’s national team in Panama’s tournament opener.
Through July of the 2025 MLB season, Gurriel is slashing .251/.297/.422 with 12 home runs, making him a likely starter in left field if he joins the national roster. His presence would provide Panama with much-needed offensive punch and veteran experience on the international stage.
Expected to be on the 2026 roster are several notable MLB/MiLB talents, including:
Despite being viewed as potential underdogs in Pool A, Panama will bring one of its most talented groups ever to the WBC, aiming to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in tournament history.
Pool A—arguably the most competitive in the tournament—will feature Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Panama, making for a tightly contested group stage. If Gurriel Jr. joins the squad, Panama’s chances to pull off an unexpected run increase significantly.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo: Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (12) in the first inning during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
