San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. intends to make his long-anticipated debut for the Dominican Republic at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported the news on Tuesday night. Hall of Famer Albert Pujols and general manager Nelson Cruz will manage the Dominican club.
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s re-emergence as one of the biggest stars in baseball is expected to continue next March in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
“Representing my country … is something that I cherish, something that I always wanted as a kid,” he said. https://t.co/7MgsUJLUwi
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) April 15, 2025
“They haven’t made it official, but there’s really good talks out there,” Tatis told The Athletic following his two-homer performance in San Diego’s 10-4 win over the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. “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.”
The 26-year-old right fielder from San Pedro de Macorís was ineligible to participate in the 2023 WBC due to an 80-game suspension following a positive test for Clostebol, a violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Since his return in April 2023, Tatis has reasserted himself as a cornerstone for the Padres, collecting 46 home runs and 127 RBI over two seasons and earning a Platinum Glove.
“Representing my country, playing right next to my Dominican fellows is something that I cherish, something that I always wanted as a kid,” Tatis said. “Definitely looking forward to it.”
Through 16 games in 2025, Tatis is slashing .361/.429/.672 with six home runs, 12 RBI, and a 1.101 OPS from the leadoff spot. The Padres are 14-3 overall and remain undefeated at home with an 11-0 record entering Tuesday night’s series continuation against the Cubs.
Tatis Jr. isn’t the only big name expected on the Dominican Republic roster. The federation, under president Juan Núñez, continues evaluating top players ahead of roster selection, including Ketel Marte, Juan Soto, Geraldo Perdomo, Mark Vientos, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jasson Dominguez, Rafael Devers, Elly De La Cruz, Jeremy Pena, Willy Adames, Julio Rodriguez, Jose Ramirez, Austin Wells, and Gary Sanchez. Manny Machado—Tatis’ current teammate who previously played for the D.R. in both the 2017 and 2023 editions.
Tatis Sr., who played 11 seasons in the majors and managed his son during winter ball for the Estrellas Orientales, will serve as the Dominican Republic’s hitting coach. Their shared history includes a 2019 championship in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana—Estrellas’ first league title since 1968.
Tatis Jr. reflected on attending the 2009 WBC as a 10-year-old, watching his father represent the Dominican Republic and rubbing shoulders with icons like David Ortiz and Miguel Tejada. “Being surrounded by those players, the aura you feel in the moment is just unique,” he recalled. “It’s why you play this game.”
2026 WBC Preview
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will feature 20 nations, with the Dominican Republic competing in Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami, alongside Venezuela, Nicaragua, Israel, and the Netherlands from March 6-11.
Semifinals and the championship game will also be held in Miami, with the final scheduled for March 17. The full schedule and venues can be found at MLB.com/world-baseball-classic. Game times have not yet been announced.
Japan leads all nations with three WBC titles (2006, 2009, 2023). The Dominican Republic won it all in 2013, and Team USA claimed the title in 2017. The event is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, MLB, MLBPA, and WBCI, and is staged during spring training.
Albert Pujols will be the manager for the Dominican Republic in the 2026 WBC after leading Leones del Escogido to the 2025 Caribbean Series championship in Mexicali.
Tatis Jr.’s commitment to play in the WBC marks a major milestone in his international career and is a significant addition to a Dominican roster already brimming with talent. His presence—alongside rising stars and established MLB veterans—could help the D.R. reclaim its place atop the international baseball world. For fans in San Diego and across Latin America, Tatis’ debut on this stage is more than a comeback story—it’s a celebration of heritage, talent, and redemption.
(AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
