The Dominican Republic is setting itself up to field a great team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and it’s only getting better for the island nation, as Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres has just made himself available to the team.
Machado played in the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics. In 2023 he went 4-for-17 at the plate, but was tied with Juan Soto for the most home runs on the team. In 2017, Machado went 7-for-26 with one home run, two doubles and two RBIs. He was third on the team in hits in the 2017 edition of the World Baseball Classic.
Other stars like Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. have also made themselves available for the team. Tatis’ father, Fernando Tatis Sr., is one of the coaches for the team.
“It’s always an honor to wear the country’s uniform,” Machado told Grandes en los Deportes in Spanish.
Machado is a six-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, a Platinum Glove Award winner and a two-time Silver Slugger. This season, he is slashing .293/.354/.477 with 13 home runs.
The Dominican Republic is in a pool with Venezuela, the Netherlands, Israel and Nicaragua. Venezuela, likely led by Ronald Acuña Jr., figures to be their biggest competition.
Photo: Manny Machado of the Dominican Republic hits a home run in the third inning against Israel at loanDepot park on March 14, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
