2026 World Baseball Classic: Shohei Ohtani Not Pitching for Japan

We all remember the epic championship game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic when Shohei Ohtani struck out Team USA slugger Mike Trout to give Team Japan its third title in five editions of the tournament. Now, we’re gearing up for the 2026 WBC, which will see Ohtani and Japan try to defend their title in the 20-team competition that includes a stacked USA squad seeking redemption. Among the players committed to Team USA include Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. We are counting down until the opening pitch of the tournament and bringing you the latest news and updates as rosters get announced. When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic? The 2026 WBC will be held from March 5–17. Twenty teams have been placed into four pools with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals. Games in Pool A will be played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Games in Pool B will be played at Daikin Park, home of the Astros. Games in Pool C will be played at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Games in Pool D will be played at LoanDepot Park, home of the Marlins. Jan. 31 Shohei Ohtani not pitching for Japan The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar has decided that he will only hit in the 2026 WBC, manager Dave Roberts revealed. Ohtani pitched for the first time since August 2023 last season, doing so through the playoffs en route to the Dodgers repeating as World Series champions and Ohtani winning his third consecutive MVP award. Jan. 29 Ronald Acuña Jr, Jackson Chourio to play for Venezuela Braves right fielder Acuña and Brewers slugger Chourio are among the top MLB talents who’ll play for Venezuela at the WBC. Acuña was part of Venezuela’s roster for the 2023 edition and later posted a stellar season with the Braves in which he hit 41 homers and had 73 stolen bases. After missing most of the 2024 season with a torn ACL, he returned to the Braves in 2025 to produce a productive campaign (21 HRs, .935 OPS) in 2025. Chourio has been a breakout star for the Brewers, posting at least 20 homers in his first two seasons with Milwaukee. On the other side, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will sit out the WBC. The two-time World Series champion represents Venezuela, but the Astros reportedly asked him to sit out this year. The nine-time All-Star suffered a hand injury at the 2023 tournament when he was hit by a pitch, which affected his performance during that season (missed 43 games). Altuve slashed .265/.329/.442 with a .771 OPS, recording 26 HRs and 77 RBIs in 155 games. Jan. 28 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. playing for Dominican Republic Blue Jays star Guerrero will suit up for the Dominican Republic in his WBC debut. Guerrero, a two-time Silver Slugger and five-time All-Star, totaled 23 home runs, 84 RBIs and 4.6 wins above replacement in 156 regular-season games last year for the Blue Jays — who won the American League pennant — while posting a .292/.381/.467 slash line. In the postseason (18 games), Guerrero totaled eight HRs and 15 RBIs, while posting a .397/.494/.795 slash line. Jan. 27 Nolan Arenado in for Puerto Rico; Carlos Correa out Diamondbacks third baseman Arenado is making a team switch for the WBC. The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner (who was traded by the Cardinals to the D-backs earlier this month) will join Team Puerto Rico in this year’s event. Arenado represented Team USA in 2023 and 2017. He batted .385 for Team USA in their runner-up effort in 2023, while helping the team win it all in 2017. Puerto Rico’s infield will be anchored by Arenado and Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. However, the team will be without Carlos Correa after the Astros star infielder said he didn’t have the insurance in his contract to participate. Correa helped Puerto Rico earn the silver medal in 2017 and had sat out the 2023 tourney after the birth of his child. Oneil Cruz locked in for Dominican Republic Pirates slugger Cruz will be making his WBC debut when he joins the D.R. squad in March. The 27-year-old, who participated in the 2025 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, joins a talented roster that already includes Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., Mets left fielder Juan Soto, and Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Cruz led the Pirates in home runs (20) and stolen bases (38) this season. Jan. 26 Japan’s roster will feature eight MLB stars The defending champions will have a stacked team, with Japan finalizing all but one roster spot for their WBC campaign. Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto confirmed he’ll play, joining teammate Ohtani, Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, Padres reliever Yuki Matsui, White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami, Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto and free agent right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, who played on Japan’s team in 2023, will sit out this one. It will be the first WBC for Suzuki, who helped Japan win gold at the 2020 Olympics. Jan. 15 Hats released for all 20 teams We have caps! Which one is your favorite? Clayton Kershaw, Alex Bregman join Team USA Kershaw may have just finished his 18-year MLB career with the Dodgers, but the three-time Cy Young Award winner will pitch for Team USA. This will be the first time that Kershaw pitches in the WBC. Before Bregman makes his anticipated debut for the Cubs, the newly signed star third baseman will don the Team USA uniform for the WBC. They will join a Team USA squad headlined by Phillies slugger Bryce Harper, who will play suit up after missing out on the 2023 edition due to surgery. The 33-year-old Harper hit 27 home runs and recorded an .844 OPS in 2025 as the Phillies won the National League East. It will be Harper’s first time playing at the WBC. Jan. 13 Alejandro Kirk named Team Mexico captain Blue Jays catcher Kirk has been named captain of Team Mexico for the WBC. Kirk will lead a MLB-heavy lineup that includes stars like Jarren Duran, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda. The 27-year-old backstop is coming off his second All-Star appearance and was a key part of the Blue Jays reaching the World Series. The Tijuana native slashed .282/.348/.421 with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs during the 2025 season. Ernie Clement, Byron Buxton will play for USA Clement, 29, helped the Blue Jays reach the World Series while also setting a postseason record with his 30 hits. He finished the postseason with a .411 average, one homer, six doubles, nine RBIs, 13 runs scored and a .977 OPS. All-Star slugger Buxton will also join Team USA. The 32-year-old outfielder had a career season with the Twins, producing homers (35), RBIs (83) and runs scored (97). Buxton also earned his first Silver Slugger of his career. Jan. 11 Freddie Freeman withdraws from Team Canada Team Canada will be without its star player, as Dodgers first baseman Freeman has reportedly withdrawn from the WBC. With the 36-year-old sitting out the tournament after helping the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series titles, the Canadians will lean on Mariners slugger Josh Naylor at first base. In other Team Canada news, Angels reliever Jordan Romano has also reportedly pulled out, while Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon will take part.