Many reports of player interest in the World Baseball Classic have come to light in the last week, and new reports continue to roll in as the tournament gets closer. Here is the latest roundup of reports from around the world.
Japan
According to Yahoo Japan, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch in the World Baseball Classic, but Rōki Sasaki will not. The Dodgers reportedly felt that letting Sasaki, who missed a chunk of the season with a shoulder injury, play in the tournament would be too dangerous. Meanwhile, Yamamoto, who pitched plenty of high-leverage innings in the postseason, will now try to help his country to another World Baseball Classic championship.
According to Hochi News, Tomoyuki Sugano is expected to pitch in the World Baseball Classic. He signed with the Baltimore Orioles last offseason and had a 4.64 ERA in 30 starts. He is a three-time Central League MVP, two-time Eiji Sawamura Award winner and eight-time NPB All-Star. He last pitched in the World Baseball Classic in 2017.
Dominican Republic
According to Hector Gómez, All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte will play for the Dominican Republic. Marte and has won Silver Slugger Awards in back-to-back seasons and is currently the subject of many trade rumors.
Superstar third baseman José Ramírez also intends to play in the World Baseball Classic, according to Dominican baseball insider Abraham Abreu P. He is one of the best players in baseball, but with Manny Machado reportedly also on the team, fans could be in store for an interesting situation in terms of playing time, as the Dominican Republic could shuffle the infield to get all of its stars on the field. Machado was on the team in 2023, but Ramírez was not.
El presidente de la Federación Dominicana de Béisbol, Juan Núñez fue visto con José Ramírez y el estelar dominicano le confirmó su intención, hasta el momento, de participar en el próximo Clásico Mundial de Béisbol. Esperemos así sea y contar con uno de los mejores peloteros de… pic.twitter.com/boMvILnoui
— Abraham Abreu P. (@abrahamabreup) December 12, 2025
According to David Alcántara of Abriendo Sports, outfielder Johan Rojas also intends to play in the tournament. He has seen significant playing time for the Philadelphia Phillies in the last two seasons.
Nicaragua
In perhaps some of the most anticipated news of the tournament, Mark Vientos will play for Nicaragua in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to 8DepertivoTN8’s Fernando Rayo. He was eligible to play for Puerto Rico, Nicaragua and the United States. He did not have the best season in 2025, but was a key player for the Mets in 2024, slugging 27 home runs as the Mets made a deep run in the postseason. He had a .998 OPS in October and hit five home runs, helping the New York Mets reach the National League Championship Series.
Canada
According to The Canadian Baseball Network, Abraham Toro, Denzel Clarke and Edouard Julien will join Team Canada again next year. Toro had a solid season for the Boston Red Sox, helping fill in for an injured Triston Casas at first base. He can play multiple spots in the infield, and may not see much time at first base in the tournament. Canada already has Josh Naylor. Freddie Freeman’s status is up in the air, but he reportedly wants to play. If Freeman does not play, Naylor would slot in at first base.
Clarke’s bat was not the best during his rookie season, but he is already a defensive wizard in the outfield. He posted a positive 13 outs above average last season and ranked in the 98th percentile in outs above average as well as in the 97th percentile in sprint speed.
in the span of three days, denzel clarke has made two of the best catches ive ever seen in my life. pic.twitter.com/iD0g0zRDn1
— Logan (@loganstephens24) June 10, 2025
Julien is another versatile defender with 267 games of big league experience. He could help round out Canada’s infield after hitting .538 for Canada in the 2023 WBC.
South Korea
According to SBS News, Riley O’Brien has expressed interest in joining South Korea for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He had a career-best 2.04 ERA and notched six saves in 48 innings of work last season. His sinker sits at 98 mph and posseses above-average vertical and horizontal break.
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, JJ Wetherholt, has also expressed a desire to play in the World Baseball Classic if selected, according to The Chosun Daily. The young prospect, who’s grandmother is Korean, reached Triple-A last season and posted a .978 OPS while hitting 17 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. He could be a great addition to the South Korean squad if he decides to play.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and pitcher Roki Sasaki celebrate after their win against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of baseball’s World Series, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
