OnPattison is keeping a running tracker of what Phillies will or won't be competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which will run from March 5-17.
Bryce Harper: The two-time NL MVP announced on Instagram on Dec. 23 that he's planning to play for the United States. Harper had planned to play in the 2023 WBC, but wasn't able to do so because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Kyle Schwarber: Last year's NL MVP runner-up is returning to Team USA after donning the stars and stripes in 2023. Schwarber homered two times and drew five walks in five games in 2023 when Team USA ultimately finished runner-up to Team Japan.
Brad Keller: Before Keller begins a two-year/$22 million deal with the Phillies, he's going to pitch for Team USA. He'll be part of a bullpen also set to include Mason Miller and Griffin Jax.
Aaron Nola: Rob Thomson announced during January's Philadelphia Sports Writers Association dinner that Nola will pitch for the Italian team. The 32-year-old righty is looking to rebound from the worst season of his career, as he posted a 6.01 ERA over 17 starts in 2025.
Dante Nori: A first-round pick by the Phillies in 2024, Nori is among the outfielders on Team Italy's roster. The 21-year-old posted a .732 OPS across three levels of the minors last season, peaking at Double-A Reading.
Taijuan Walker: Ahead of the final season of a four-year/$72 deal with the Phillies, Walker will return to pitch in the WBC for the second time. Walker struck out eight and allowed just one hit across four innings during the 2023 edition of the tournament.
Cristopher Sánchez: Last season's NL Cy Young Award runner-up will be toeing the rubber for the DR, joining a pitching staff that will also include Sandy Alcantara, Freddy Peralta and Luis Severino.
Garrett Stubbs: As he perhaps auditions for the other 29 teams, Stubbs will play for Team Israel for the second consecutive WBC. Stubbs went 2-for-5 with two RBIs in 2023. His former Phillies teammate Harrison Bader will also be representing Israel.
Max Lazar: After posting a 4.75 ERA in 47 games for the Phillies over the last two seasons, Lazar will be an option out of the bullpen for Israel.
Edmundo Sosa: Prior to what will be his contract year, Sosa is going to represent his native Panama in the WBC.
Jesús Luzardo: Despite apparent interest from both USA and Venezuela, Luzardo decided to pass on pitching in the WBC ahead of his contract year. Even though he was born in Peru and has lived most of his life in America, Luzardo said he hopes to represent Venezuela — where much of his family is from — in the next WBC.
José Alvarado: Though he was slated to pitch for Team Venezuela for the third WBC in a row, insurance issues ultimately prevented Alvarado from doing so. He was pretty irate in comments made in late February to El Extrabase about missing out on this opportunity:
José Alvarado fue negado por el seguro para participar en el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol.
El zurdo venezolano no se guardó nada cuando le preguntamos sobre esa situación.
La entrevista completa en YouTube: https://t.co/21ZZ1b13CY#ElExtrabase⚾️🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/gSOP2CqL1j
Jhoan Duran: According to Wilber Sánchez, Duran said (via translation) in late December that he wouldn't pitch for the Dominican Republic in the WBC: “Last season I exceeded my innings and I need to take care of my arm. I don’t have a contract that guarantees my future.”
Johan Rojas: Though he had been slated to be on the bench for the Dominican Republic, Rojas was removed from the roster following a failed PED test.
Trea Turner: A hero for Team USA in 2023, Turner would have been interested in returning in 2026, but said the "phone never rang."
Trea Turner said he would have been interested in playing for Team USA again in the World Baseball Classic, but “phone never rang.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/gxflYUI8iW
