Category: Sports News

Who's playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic? Here's the roster so far originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Will Team USA reclaim the World Baseball Classic title in 2026?

The United States will be looking to rebound from a runner-up finish when the World Baseball Classic returns in March.

After capturing their first WBC title in 2017, the Americans made it all the back to the final of the 2023 international baseball tournament. But the U.S. fell just short of pulling off the repeat, losing to 3-2 to Japan. The thrilling tournament was capped by Shohei Ohtanistriking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to secure Japan’s third WBC title.

Now, as the 2026 tournament approaches, Team USA is putting together a roster that’s certainly championship-caliber.

The club is captained by New York Yankeesthree-time MVPAaron Judge. The roster also features both the NL and AL MVP runners-up from 2025 in Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. The pitching staff, meanwhile, is headlined by the reigning Cy Young winners in Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes and Detroit Tigers southpaw Tarik Skubal.

And those aren’t the only MLB stars who will be donning red, white and blue.

Who is on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster?

Here’s an updated breakdown of manager Mark DeRosa‘s roster to this point (this section will be updated as roster additions are announced):

Starting pitchers

• Matthew Boyd, Chicago Cubs
• Clay Holmes, New York Mets
• Nolan McLean, New York Mets
• Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
• Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
• Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants

Relievers

• David Bednar, New York Yankees
• Garrett Cleavinger, Tampa Bay Rays
• Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays
• Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
• Garrett Whitlock, Boston Red Sox

Catchers

• Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
• Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

Infielders

• Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
• Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
• Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
• Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Outfielders

• Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
• Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

Bednar, Schwarber, Smith and Witt Jr. are returning members from the 2023 squad.

When does the 2026 World Baseball Classic start?

The opening game of the tournament is scheduled for March 4.

What are the 2026 World Baseball Classic dates?

Pool play will run from March 4-March 11 followed by the quarterfinals from March 13-14, the semifinals from March 15-16 and the championship game on March 17.

Where is the 2026 World Baseball Classic being played?

Group stage games will be played across four cities and three countries:

• Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan
• Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Daikin Park in Houston
• loanDepot park in Miami

The quarterfinals will be held in Houston and Miami, while the semifinals and finals will be played in Miami.

Which teams are in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

The WBC features 20 teams which are split into four different pools for the opening round. Each pool is assigned to one host city for the first round.

Here’s a breakdown of the pools and host cities:

Pool A (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

• Canada
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Panama
• Puerto Rico

Pool B (Houston)

• Brazil
• Great Britain
• Italy
• Mexico
• United States

Pool C (Tokyo, Japan)

• Australia
• Chinese Taipei
• Czechia
• Japan
• Korea

Pool D (Miami)

• Dominican Republic
• Israel
• Netherlands
• Nicaragua
• Venezuela

How does the World Baseball Classic work?

The WBC opens with a round robin where teams play one game against each of the other clubs in their pool. The top two teams from each pool then advance to the knockout rounds, which are single-elimination.

Teams from Pools A and B will play quarterfinal games in Houston, while clubs from Pools C and D will play in Miami.

Who's playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic? Here's the roster so far originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Will Team USA reclaim the World Baseball Classic title in 2026?

The United States will be looking to rebound from a runner-up finish when the World Baseball Classic returns in March.

After capturing their first WBC title in 2017, the Americans made it all the back to the final of the 2023 international baseball tournament. But the U.S. fell just short of pulling off the repeat, losing to 3-2 to Japan. The thrilling tournament was capped by Shohei Ohtanistriking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to secure Japan’s third WBC title.

Now, as the 2026 tournament approaches, Team USA is putting together a roster that’s certainly championship-caliber.

The club is captained by New York Yankeesthree-time MVPAaron Judge. The roster also features both the NL and AL MVP runners-up from 2025 in Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. The pitching staff, meanwhile, is headlined by the reigning Cy Young winners in Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes and Detroit Tigers southpaw Tarik Skubal.

And those aren’t the only MLB stars who will be donning red, white and blue.

Who is on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster?

Here’s an updated breakdown of manager Mark DeRosa‘s roster to this point (this section will be updated as roster additions are announced):

Starting pitchers

• Matthew Boyd, Chicago Cubs
• Clay Holmes, New York Mets
• Nolan McLean, New York Mets
• Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
• Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
• Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants

Relievers

• David Bednar, New York Yankees
• Garrett Cleavinger, Tampa Bay Rays
• Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays
• Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
• Garrett Whitlock, Boston Red Sox

Catchers

• Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
• Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

Infielders

• Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
• Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
• Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
• Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Outfielders

• Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
• Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

Bednar, Schwarber, Smith and Witt Jr. are returning members from the 2023 squad.

When does the 2026 World Baseball Classic start?

The opening game of the tournament is scheduled for March 4.

What are the 2026 World Baseball Classic dates?

Pool play will run from March 4-March 11 followed by the quarterfinals from March 13-14, the semifinals from March 15-16 and the championship game on March 17.

Where is the 2026 World Baseball Classic being played?

Group stage games will be played across four cities and three countries:

• Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan
• Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Daikin Park in Houston
• loanDepot park in Miami

The quarterfinals will be held in Houston and Miami, while the semifinals and finals will be played in Miami.

Which teams are in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

The WBC features 20 teams which are split into four different pools for the opening round. Each pool is assigned to one host city for the first round.

Here’s a breakdown of the pools and host cities:

Pool A (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

• Canada
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Panama
• Puerto Rico

Pool B (Houston)

• Brazil
• Great Britain
• Italy
• Mexico
• United States

Pool C (Tokyo, Japan)

• Australia
• Chinese Taipei
• Czechia
• Japan
• Korea

Pool D (Miami)

• Dominican Republic
• Israel
• Netherlands
• Nicaragua
• Venezuela

How does the World Baseball Classic work?

The WBC opens with a round robin where teams play one game against each of the other clubs in their pool. The top two teams from each pool then advance to the knockout rounds, which are single-elimination.

Teams from Pools A and B will play quarterfinal games in Houston, while clubs from Pools C and D will play in Miami.

Jeff McNeil’s time in the Big Apple has come to an end. 

The Mets have long been floating the former batting champ in trade talks, and on Monday they finally reached an agreement to ship him off to the A’s along with cash. 

New York receives 17-year-old pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez in return. 

While he seemingly didn’t have a home in the Big Apple anymore, the A’s feel the veteran McNeil will slot in perfectly with their young up-and-coming roster. 

“He's a really good fit in a lot of ways,” GM David Forst told Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. “His experience -- let’s be honest, we still have a generally young roster without a ton of experience, particularly on the position-player side.

“I think he brings a lot to the table in terms of having played in that big market, played in the postseason, and just bringing a lot of experience to our clubhouse.”

That developing core is headlined by AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, the slap-hitting Jacob Wilson, slugger Brent Rooker, catcher Shea Langeliers, power-hitting lefty Tyler Soderstrom, and dynamic outfielder Lawrence Butler. 

The 33-year-old should bring a nice boost to their offense taking his newly-developed approach at the plate to the hitter-friendly confines of Sutter Health Park. 

McNeil is currently penciled in as their everyday second base, but things could always change over the next few months, as the organization also values his versatility. 

Frost views his skillset similar to another veteran he’d signed in the past. 

“That he has that much versatility,” the GM said. “I see it a lot like when we acquired Ben Zobrist a long time ago -- just knowing you have some options and you can do some other things on the roster is great.”

McNeil, of course, has logged an appearance at every position except pitcher and catcher over the years.  

He finishes his time with the Mets as a .284 hitter with 80 HR, 367 RBI, and a .779 OPS. 

There's a good chance the Islanders will have their leading scorer back after the Holiday break. 

Bo Horvat officially rejoined the team for practice on Monday afternoon, donning a red non-contact jersey. 

Horvat still has some hurdles to clear, and is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Devils. 

The team is, however, targeting Saturday's meeting with the Rangers for his potential return to the lineup.

"It was nice, he was wearing a non-contact jersey today and it seems like things are going the right way," Patrick Roy said. "I'm doubtful for tomorrow but obviously it was good to see him back out there."

It certainly is a welcome sight, as the star winger has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury. 

Horvat went down in significant pain and was unable to put any weight on his left foot after getting tangled up and twisting it during a Dec. 11 meeting with the Anaheim Ducks.

The team didn't have much of an update afterwards, but ruled him day-to-day at the time. 

Now, just under two weeks later, Horvat has been able to take some encouraging steps towards getting back out there. 

New York has gone 1-2-1 in the four games he's missed. 

It seemed to take forever but in finally making a big-splash move, signing Bo Bichette last week, the Mets offered reason to believe they can still turn this offseason into something even their discontented fans would deem a success.

There is more to be done, to be sure. The Mets still haven’t made a move to upgrade their starting rotation, seemingly their top priority this winter, but after the events of last week you have to think David Stearns will do something significant on that front as well. 

It wasn’t just that they signed Bichette, one of the top all-around hitters in baseball, but that Stearns and Steve Cohen made it clear they’re still willing to spend big. They offered Kyle Tucker a whopping $220 million over four years, but after losing him to the Los Angeles Dodgers, locked up Bichette for $42 million a year — eye-popping as well — on a three-year deal that includes opt-outs after Years 1 and 2.  

Now, in addition to more pitching, the Mets still need an outfielder to replace Brandon Nimmo. So I’m a long way from giving Stearns a final offseason grade, but with every acquisition the Mets make I’ll be updating the grades of individual moves. 

Suffice it to say, there’s plenty to like about the Bichette signing. 

The grades: 

BO BICHETTE SIGNED: 3 YEARS, $126 MILLION

For starters, it was impressive that Stearns had laid the groundwork for a Bichette deal so that he was able to pivot and sign the former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop within 12 hours or so of losing out on Tucker. 

Bichette’s numbers as a high-average hitter with considerable pop speak for themselves, but perhaps most notable is that he has been one of the best clutch hitters in baseball throughout his career. He led the majors in hits with runners in scoring position last season, hitting .381 in those spots, and his career average with RISP is .330 with a .904 OPS.

Scouts say he excels in the clutch in part because he’s a smart hitter who makes adjustments with runners on base, recognizing how pitchers are trying to get him out, and oozes confidence in a way that some say is reminiscent of Derek Jeter.

“As the son of a big leaguer (Dante Bichette) he just seems comfortable in any situation,” said one scout. “In big spots he trusts his ability and keeps it simple, like Jeter did. He’s just a really tough out when it counts most.”

As such, Bichette, who may still be ascending at age 28 (come March), figures to be the guy to hit behind Juan Soto, dangerous enough that pitchers won’t pitch around Soto constantly. Also, as a right-handed hitter he gives the Mets’ lineup some needed balance, essentially replacing Pete Alonso in that sense anyway. 

He needs to prove he can play third base, but shortstops usually can make that move without great difficulty. Bichette’s range, which ranked worst among shortstops last season, shouldn’t be as much as an issue at third, but it’s something to watch. 

GRADE: A

BRANDON NIMMO TRADED FOR MARCUS SEMIEN

I give Stearns credit for being willing to break up the core that failed to deliver when it counted most for the last several years, the only exception being 2024. This trade with the Texas Rangers was the first move in that direction. In addition Stearns got out from under an expensive contract that likely wasn’t going to age well, with five years and $102.5 million remaining. 

That said, taking on Semien’s three years and $72 million remaining is a major gamble as well. His defense at second base is an upgrade over McNeil but Stearns’ run-prevention philosophy may not be such an easy sell at Citi Field if Semien’s offensive decline of the last two years continues at age 34. 

When this trade was made on Nov. 23, I felt like it would ultimately be judged on how Stearns replaced Nimmo’s offense. So far there is no such replacement. 

GRADE: C 

DEVIN WILLIAMS SIGNED: 3 YEARS, $51 MILLION

Much like the Nimmo trade, I felt this signing had to be evaluated by what came next. It had home run potential if paired with the re-signing of Edwin Diaz, but after the Mets either botched the Diaz negotiations or were OK with letting him leave - it’s still hard to be sure about which - it now feels like much more of a gamble. 

Williams’ struggles in the Bronx in 2024 seemed very much related to the pressure of being the closer on such a big stage. That he eventually righted himself would seem to be a good sign, but it was also only long after he’d been removed as the Yankees’ closer. 

So it’s fair to wonder how he’ll fare with the expectations of filling Diaz’s shoes as the Mets’ closer. The numbers say his stuff is still elite but scouts who watched him regularly say pressure affected the command of both his fastball and signature changeup. 

 GRADE: C

JORGE POLANCO SIGNED: 2 YEARS, $40 MILLION

In a sense the Bichette signing also impacts the Polanco deal, no longer making him the most significant offseason acquisition with the expectation of replacing Alonso’s offense, even if he is expected to be the Mets’ primary first baseman. 

As such I changed the grade on this move. 

As a complement to Bichette, Polanco is a solid signing, coming off a strong age-32 season for the Seattle Mariners in which he slugged .495 and hit 26 home runs, plus two more off Tarik Skubal in the postseason. And, like Bichette, he has been a very good clutch hitter, hitting .337 with runners in scoring position last year, and .400 w/RISP and two outs — as well as a .306 career hitter with RISP. 

Of course, he also has a history of inconsistency from year to year, perhaps due somewhat to injuries, and he has no real in-game experience playing first base, even if the Mariners gave him a crash-course at the position last season in case he was needed. 

Bottom line, the Mets needed another accomplished hitter to ensure Polanco alone wasn’t expected to make up for the absence of Alonso in the lineup. Now they have one. 

GRADE: Adjusted from C to B

LUKE WEAVER SIGNED: 2 YEARS, $22 MILLION

This is the one acquisition so far that doesn’t feel connected to anything else the Mets may or may not do. Instead it feels like a good gamble, signing Weaver to be one of the primary set-up men for Williams, knowing it wasn’t so long ago he excelled in the role of closer for the Yankees in 2023. 

The righthander lost his way last season, but many baseball people believe Weaver’s struggles were related to tipping his pitches, which he eventually admitted messed with him mentally. Presumably he’s had time to make corrections, in which case his fastball-change-up combination, similar to Williams’ arsenal, will again be effective. 

GRADE: B 

JEFF MCNEIL TRADED IN SALARY DUMP

There wasn’t much doubt McNeil would be moved after the departures of Nimmo and Alonso. Whether a break-up of the core proves meaningful remains to be seen but clearly Stearns believed major change was needed, and McNeil’s reported dust-ups with Francisco Lindor may have added to that belief.  

In any case, going into his age-34 season in 2026, McNeil is a long way from the batting champ who hit .326 in 2022, hitting .238 and .243 the last two seasons, so he wasn’t expected to bring back much of a return. In trading him to the Athletics, the Mets got back a lottery ticket of sorts, a 17-year old right-hander, Yordan Rodriguez. 

More to the point, the A’s are taking on $10 million of McNeil’s $15.75 salary next season, the last on his four-year contract. The Mets are eating $5.75 million and potentially $2 million more if the A’s don’t’ pick up McNeil’s 2027 club option for another $15.75 million.

McNeil could have had value as a versatile utilityman playing behind Semien next season, so it’s up to Stearns to make better use of the $10 million saved. 

GRADE: B

Adbert Alzolay had a bit of a rough return to the mound a few weeks ago. 

The right-hander was thrown right into the fire in his first game action in nearly two years, and he ended up blowing the save for Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League.

Since then, though, he’s been able to settle in nicely. 

Alzolay seems to have shaken off whatever rust was on that right arm, posting three consecutive scoreless outings. 

The latest was on Sunday, when he secured the final three outs of a 7-3 victory.

While it’s only Winter Ball, it’s certainly encouraging to see the reliever back on the mound and enjoying success. 

The Mets brought Alzolay in last offseason on a two-year minor league pact knowing that he would miss the entire year recovering from Tommy John. 

After completing his rehab, he now appears ready to compete for a spot. 

The last time he was healthy, Alzolay pitched to a 4.67 ERA in 18 outings with the Cubs. 

The year before that, though, he was one of the steadier late-inning arms in baseball having recorded 22 saves and a 2.67 ERA over 58 appearances. 

If he can regain that form in spring training, he just might be able to crack a spot on the Mets' Opening Day roster. 

Luke Weaver finalized his deal with the Mets on Monday, officially marking the end of his time with the Yankees.

The right-hander enjoyed a strong two-plus seasons in pinstripes. 

Weaver came in as a journeyman starter looking for a new home off waivers, and the organization helped turn him into one of the more reliable setup men in baseball. 

He quickly became a fan favorite for his electric personality both on and off the field.

He finished with a 3.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 12 saves, and 191 strikeouts over 129 appearances as a Yankee. 

Weaver tipped his cap to the Bronx faithful one last time before starting his new journey on the other side of town.

"My career coming to what felt like an end. Overwhelmed with injuries and failure... it seemed destined that the new chapter of my life was within reach. But did the Lord have other plans for me," he wrote on Instagram. "Yankees fans and those that showed me your love/support... thank you from the bottom of my heart.

"What a ride it was and a rejuvenation I longed for. Another chapter begins for me but the memories are forever. Grateful and humbled. To God be the Glory."

Who's playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic? Here's the roster so far originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Will Team USA reclaim the World Baseball Classic title in 2026?

The United States will be looking to rebound from a runner-up finish when the World Baseball Classic returns in March.

After capturing their first WBC title in 2017, the Americans made it all the back to the final of the 2023 international baseball tournament. But the U.S. fell just short of pulling off the repeat, losing to 3-2 to Japan. The thrilling tournament was capped by Shohei Ohtanistriking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to secure Japan’s third WBC title.

Now, as the 2026 tournament approaches, Team USA is putting together a roster that’s certainly championship-caliber.

The club is captained by New York Yankeesthree-time MVPAaron Judge. The roster also features both the NL and AL MVP runners-up from 2025 in Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. The pitching staff, meanwhile, is headlined by the reigning Cy Young winners in Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes and Detroit Tigers southpaw Tarik Skubal.

And those aren’t the only MLB stars who will be donning red, white and blue.

Who is on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster?

Here’s an updated breakdown of manager Mark DeRosa‘s roster to this point (this section will be updated as roster additions are announced):

Starting pitchers

• Matthew Boyd, Chicago Cubs
• Clay Holmes, New York Mets
• Nolan McLean, New York Mets
• Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
• Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
• Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants

Relievers

• David Bednar, New York Yankees
• Garrett Cleavinger, Tampa Bay Rays
• Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays
• Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
• Garrett Whitlock, Boston Red Sox

Catchers

• Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
• Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

Infielders

• Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
• Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
• Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
• Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Outfielders

• Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
• Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

Bednar, Schwarber, Smith and Witt Jr. are returning members from the 2023 squad.

When does the 2026 World Baseball Classic start?

The opening game of the tournament is scheduled for March 4.

What are the 2026 World Baseball Classic dates?

Pool play will run from March 4-March 11 followed by the quarterfinals from March 13-14, the semifinals from March 15-16 and the championship game on March 17.

Where is the 2026 World Baseball Classic being played?

Group stage games will be played across four cities and three countries:

• Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan
• Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Daikin Park in Houston
• loanDepot park in Miami

The quarterfinals will be held in Houston and Miami, while the semifinals and finals will be played in Miami.

Which teams are in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

The WBC features 20 teams which are split into four different pools for the opening round. Each pool is assigned to one host city for the first round.

Here’s a breakdown of the pools and host cities:

Pool A (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

• Canada
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Panama
• Puerto Rico

Pool B (Houston)

• Brazil
• Great Britain
• Italy
• Mexico
• United States

Pool C (Tokyo, Japan)

• Australia
• Chinese Taipei
• Czechia
• Japan
• Korea

Pool D (Miami)

• Dominican Republic
• Israel
• Netherlands
• Nicaragua
• Venezuela

How does the World Baseball Classic work?

The WBC opens with a round robin where teams play one game against each of the other clubs in their pool. The top two teams from each pool then advance to the knockout rounds, which are single-elimination.

Teams from Pools A and B will play quarterfinal games in Houston, while clubs from Pools C and D will play in Miami.