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World Baseball Classic: Who Is On Team USA’s Roster?

The reigning AL MVP in Aaron Judge. Both reigning Cy Young winners in Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. Plenty of All-Stars, big names and even a recently retired legend.

Team USA is looking for redemption when the World Baseball Classic begins next month.

After coming up short in the 2023 edition against superstar Shohei Ohtani and Japan, the USA will try to turn the tables this time around. Here is the USA’s roster for the tournament, which begins on March 5 and culminates with the March 17 championship. 

Pitchers

  • Matthew Boyd — Chicago Cubs — LHP
  • Garrett Cleavinger — Tampa Bay Rays — LHP
  • Clayton Kershaw – Retired – LHP
  • Tarik Skubal – Detroit Tigers – LHP
  • Gabe Speier – Seattle Mariners – LHP
  • David Bednar – New York Yankees – RHP
  • Clay Holmes – New York Mets – RHP
  • Griffin Jax — Tampa Bay Rays — RHP
  • Nolan McLean – New York Mets – RHP
  • Brad Keller – Philadelphia Phillies – RHP
  • Mason Miller – San Diego Padres – RHP
  • Joe Ryan – Minnesota Twins – RHP
  • Paul Skenes — Pittsburgh Pirates — RHP
  • Michael Wacha – Kansas City Royals – RHP
  • Logan Webb – San Francisco Giants – RHP
  • Garrett Whitlock – Boston Red Sox – RHP

(Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

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The pitching roster includes Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers great who retired after this season. He was a three-time World Series winner with the Dodgers and won three Cy Young awards while also taking home the 2014 NL MVP award. This will be the first time that Kershaw will participate in the World Baseball Classic. 

MORE: WBC Power Rankings – Who Tops The List?

Hitters

  • Alex Bregman – Chicago Cubs – 3B
  • Byron Buxton – Minnesota Twins – CF
  • Corbin Carroll — Arizona Diamondbacks — OF
  • Ernie Clement – Toronto Blue Jays – Utility
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong — Chicago Cubs — OF
  • Paul Goldsmidt –unsigned – 1B
  • Bryce Harper — Philadelphia Phillies — 1B
  • Gunnar Henderson — Baltimore Orioles — SS/3B
  • Aaron Judge — New York Yankees — OF
  • Cal Raleigh — Seattle Mariners — C
  • Kyle Schwarber — Philadelphia Phillies — OF/DH
  • Will Smith — Los Angeles Dodgers — C
  • Brice Turang — Milwaukee Brewers — 2B
  • Bobby Witt Jr. — Kansas City Royals — SS

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Along with Aaron Judge, the roster includes some big bats in Cal Raleigh and Kyle Schwarber. Raleigh had a historic season with 60 homers for the Mariners, the most ever by a catcher. Schwarber had 56 home runs for the Phillies and now has over 300 homers in his career.  Paul Goldschmidt, who last played for the Yankees, is another former MVP who won the award with the Cardinals in 2022. 

MORE: Every Team’s Squad for the WBC

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How to Watch 2026 World Baseball Classic: Streaming, Teams, Dates

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is right around the corner. Check out everything you need to know to tune in this March.

How to Watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic

FOX is your exclusive home to the WBC with games spread across the FOX family of networks. 

FOX is set to air seven games, including three Pool B games featuring the United States team, two Quarterfinals games and the World Baseball Classic Championship Game on Tuesday, March 17 from Miami’s loanDepot Park. The remaining matchups will air across FS1, FS2, the FOX Sports app, FOX One and Tubi. 

The U.S. is favored to win the tournament despite losing to Japan in the final in 2023.

How to Stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic

All 47 games will be available for streaming. Catch the action on the following streaming options:

FOX Deportes will also carry 28 tournament games in Spanish, including all four Quarterfinals games, two Semifinals contests, and the Championship Game. Streaming services that carry FOX networks, like YouTube TV or Fubo, can be used to stream the tournament.

When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic

The tournament starts on March 4, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET with Chinese Taipei vs Australia and is capped off on Tuesday, March 17. 

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Team USA starts pool play on Friday, March 6 against Brazil.

View the full WBC schedule here.

USA vs. Japan Highlights | 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship

USA vs. Japan Highlights | 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship

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Who is Playing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

20 teams will take to the diamond in this year’s tournament. Below are the pools, where they will play and teams.

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4 Takeaways From the World Baseball Classic Roster Announcements

Baseball’s biggest and best international competition is just around the corner. 

Rosters were officially unveiled Thursday night for the World Baseball Classic, as the 20-team tournament will return in March with a record 78 MLB All-Stars taking part. 

Before Samurai Japan tries to defend its title, here are four takeaways following the roster announcement: 

1. Team USA, with its best group ever assembled, should be the favorites 

Hiromi Itoh in 2025 (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images) <!–>

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Samurai Japan has dominated the international game, winning the WBC three times, and will be returning 10 players from its 2023 championship team. Japan’s roster is littered with both MLB talents — nine big-league players on the roster — and NPB standouts, including Sawamura Award winner Hiromi Itoh. Until proven otherwise, they’re the kings, even without Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, Shota Imanaga or Yu Darvish on the mound in this year’s competition. 

But the favorite for 2026? It has to be USA’s Dream Team.

The success and joy of the 2023 WBC not only brought more eyeballs to international competition but also motivated some of the sport’s best players to get involved. Nowhere is that clearer than the pitching staff that USA manager Mark DeRosa will get to oversee.

USA upgraded from a rotation of Merrill Kelly, Lance Lynn, Adam Wainwright and Nick Martinez in 2023 to American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes and All-Stars Logan Webb and Joe Ryan for this year’s tournament. You could field another WBC-worthy rotation with the starting options behind them on USA’s bench (Matt Boyd, Michael Wacha, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes and Clayton Kershaw), and both Mason Miller and David Bednar are there to shut the door on any opponent. 

Tarik Skubal in 2025 (Photo by Jane Gershovich/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

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The lineup, meanwhile, is seeing its own infusion of talent as AL MVP Aaron Judge enters the fold as USA’s captain. He’ll be joined by AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, Bryce Harper, Corbin Carroll, Byron Buxton, Alex Bregman, Gunnar Henderson and more. Bobby Witt Jr., who led MLB in hits last year, is back to try to avenge USA’s 2023 finals defeat. Kyle Schwarber, who led the NL with 56 home runs, is back, too. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brice Turang add both speed and defense. The bench for Team USA could be its own All-Star team. However DeRosa wants to order it, it’s by far the most talented group USA has entered into competition. 

We won’t get another Ohtani vs. Mike Trout matchup to close out the finals — Ohtani will only be hitting for Japan, and Trout isn’t on USA’s squad this year — but the talent is so deep in this year’s tournament that new magical moments are sure to arise. 

Speaking of the talent in this year’s field…

2. Dominican Republic looks poised to bounce back after a disappointing 2023 showing 

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The biggest surprise of the 2023 WBC wasn’t that Japan bested the United States but that the Dominican Republic, with a team chock-full of stars, including Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, Manny Machado, Ketel Marte, Rafael Devers and Jeremy Peña, didn’t even make it out of pool play. 

It’s hard to see that happening again, even in a pool that includes another championship contender in Venezuela and a Netherlands offense that will feature Xander Bogaerts, Jurickson Profar, Ceddanne Rafaela and Ozzie Albies.

Not only is the Dominican Republic’s offense brimming with even more talent — Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Junior Caminero, Geraldo Perdomo and Oneil Cruz will be among the many standouts joining Soto, Rodriguez, Machado, Marte and Peña this go-around — but the rotation should also be much better now that Cristopher Sanchez, Luis Severino and Brayan Bello will be joining Sandy Alcantara. The team is stacked, and now it should be motivated, too. 

[WBC Power Rankings: Who Joins USA, Japan As Favorites?]

3. The “Big 3” should maybe be a “Big 4” 

Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2025 (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) <!–>

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In a pool that included heavyweights Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the 2023 WBC, Venezuela went 4-0. A quarterfinal battle with USA awaited, and it took an eighth-inning, go-ahead grand slam from Trea Turner for the U.S. team to emerge victorious. Three years later, Venezuela looks like an even more complete team, despite Jose Altuve being unable to get insured for the tournament. 

The Venezuela outfield of Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio and Wilyer Abreu and the catching tandem of William Contreras and captain Salvador Perez will be among the best in the field. The infield is stacked with MLB talent. Maikel Garcia is coming off an All-Star and Gold Glove campaign in Kansas City, Willson Contreras adds more power to the group, and Eugenio Suárez, Andrés Gimenez, Gleyber Torres and Luis Arraez are all returning from a 2023 team that produced an .835 OPS in the last tournament. 

Now, Venezuela has the pitching staff to match with Pablo Lopez and Ranger Suarez forming a dynamic duo at the top of the rotation and Daniel Palencia and Jose Alvarado available for the late innings. Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Mexico, which made it to the semifinals in the last tournament, are the top contenders behind the fearsome threesome of USA, Japan and the Dominican Republic. 

[2026 WBC: Full Rosters For USA, Japan And All 20 Teams]

4. Canada and Italy are among sleepers with pieces to make a run  

The top teams in this tournament are just so stacked that it’s hard to imagine that teams such as Brazil, Nicaragua and the Czech Republic — as much fun as this group of amateurs was to watch in the last tourney — going all the way. The rosters of USA, Japan and Dominican Republic (and Venezuela, Mexico and Puerto Rico behind them) are just too stacked. 

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Still, you could make the case for a number of teams to go on a surprise run, as Cuba and Mexico did in the last tournament all the way to the semifinals. This is Canada’s best chance to make it out of the first round, even with Freddie Freeman not playing in this year’s tournament. The team has a litany of big-league talents, from the Naylor brothers to Otto Lopez, Tyler O’Neill, Edouard Julien and Liam Hicks, a dynamic outfielder in Denzel Clarke, an up-and-coming talent in Owen Caissie and enough MLB pitchers to garner some belief, especially since the team gets to avoid USA and Mexico in pool play. The San Juan pool (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia) looks as up-for-grabs as any group in the tournament. Speaking of that pool, don’t sleep on a Panama group with Ivan Herrera, Jose Caballero, Edmundo Sosa, Miguel Amaya and Guardians starter Logan Allen. 

Italy has a much tougher draw — the team would have to stun either USA or Mexico to advance — but after making it to the quarterfinals in the last tournament, it’s a young club on the rise led by captain Vinnie Pasquantino. Recent top prospects turned big leaguers are sprinkled throughout the roster, from Jac Caglianone to Kyle Teel to Jakob Marsee, and now Italy has its best ever frontline arm with Aaron Nola joining the group. 

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

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8 World Baseball Classic Matchups We Can’t Wait To See

The United States is bringing its most talented roster ever to the 2026 World Baseball Classic with the hope of avenging its loss to three-time champions Japan in the 2023 championship game.

USA vs. Japan Highlights | 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship

USA vs. Japan Highlights | 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship

But first, the two powerhouses will go through a gauntlet in the pool stage with the competition being as fierce and widespread as it has ever been.

Here are 10 games that will be appointment viewing in the poool stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic:

United States vs. Brazil (March 6, 5 p.m. on FOX)

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The U.S. will open its tournament against Brazil, which is making its first appearance at the tournament since 2013. Brazil went 3-1 in qualifying and secured the final spot in the tournament with a 6-4 win against Germany. Veteran infielder Leonardo Reginatto poses the biggest threat to the U.S., with the 34-year-old going 5-for-13 in qualifiers with three doubles and four RBIs.

Great Britain vs. United States (March 7, 5 p.m. on FOX)

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Jazz Chisholm Jr. is representing Great Britain at the World Baseball classic, and the New York Yankees star is no stranger to the stars of the United States. In fact, he will go up against two of his Yankees teammates, Aaron Judge and David Bednar, and two of his New York Mets rivals, Nolan McLean and Clayton Holmes.

Japan vs. South Korea (March 7, 2 a.m. on FS1)

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A historic rivalry will have its latest chapter at the Tokyo Dome in the pool stage. Japan crushed South Korea 13-4 in their last meeting at the tournament in 2023, with two-way superstar and 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP Shohei Ohtani leading the way for Japan. But South Korea now has its own phenom in 22-year-old Do-yeong Kim, who was named KBO MVP in 2024 after finishing the season with 38 home runs and 40 stolen bases.

Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic (March 8, 9 a.m. on FS2)

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The Dominican Republic has the third-best odds to win the World Baseball Classic, and for good reason. Its roster is stacked with Major League talent, headlined by New York Mets star Juan Soto. The Dominican Republic didn’t advance past the group pool in 2023, but the six-time Silver Slugger was a standout performer, going 6-for-15 at the plate with two home runs.

Cuba vs. Puerto Rico (March 9, 4 p.m. on FS1)

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This won’t just be a battle of heavyweights; it very well could determine who advances out of a tough Pool A that also features Canada, Panama and Colombia. New Los Angeles Dodgers ace Edwin Diaz will star on the mound for Puerto Pico, while eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado will make his debut for Puerto Rico in 2026 after representing the U.S. in 2023.

Mexico vs. United States (March 9, 5 p.m. on FOX)

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If the United States wants to finish at the top of Pool B, it will once again have to go through one of its oldest rivals in sports: Mexico. Led by Seattle Mariners star Randy Arozarena, Mexico finished ahead of the U.S. in 2023 pool play with a 3-1 record and 27 runs. Mexico made it to the semifinals but fell to Japan 6-5 in an instant classic. The U.S. might be out for revenge, but so too is Mexico.

United States vs. Italy (March 10, 6 p.m. on FS1)

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Italy might not be one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but that was also the case when it made a surprise run to the quarterfinals in 2023. Now led by 2009 World Series champion Francisco Cervelli, Italy is in an even better position to make a deep run, and the U.S. will serve as a measuring stick for the Italians.

Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela (March 11, 5 p.m. on FS1)

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The matchup between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela marks the only time in pool play that two teams with top-five odds to win the tournament will go head-to-head. Venezuela went 4-0 in pool play in 2023, which included a 5-1 win over the Dominican Republic. It reached the quarterfinals before losing to the U.S. 9-7 on a Trea Turner grand slam. Expect Ronaldo Acuna Jr. and Co. to be motivated going into this year’s tournament.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

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2026 World Baseball Classic: Full Rosters For USA, Japan And All 20 Teams

Before we even get to the MLB Opening Day, we’re in store for some high-stakes ballgames at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Twenty teams representing countries from around the world, and each squad will feature some notable names. Aaron Judge for Team USA. Shohei Ohtani for defending champions Japan. Juan Soto for the Dominican Republic. Serious star power. 

Here are the full rosters for each team: 

AUSTRALIA

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Pool Location Teams
A San Juan, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia
B Houston United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil
C Tokyo, Japan Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czechia, Chinese Taipei
D Miami Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua

First Name Last Name Position
Rixon Wingrove 1B
Travis Bazzana 2B
Christopher Burke C
Mitch Edwards C
Alex Hall C
Robbie Perkins C
Curtis Mead IF
Logan Wade IF
Josh Hendrickson LHP
Jon Kennedy LHP
Cooper Morgan LHP
Jack O’Loughlin LHP
Blake Townsend LHP
Alex Wells LHP
Lachlan Wells LHP
Tim Kennelly OF
Aaron Whitefield OF
Ulrich Bojarski RF
Kieren Hall RHP
Ky Hampton RHP
Sam Holland RHP
Connor MacDonald RHP
Mitch Neunborn RHP
Warwick Saupold RHP
Todd Van Steensel RHP
Coen Wynne RHP
George Callil SS
Jarryd Dale SS
Max Durrington UTL
Robbie Glendinning UTL

BRAZIL

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First Name Last Name Position 
Dante Bichette Jr. 1B
Gabriel Carmo C
Gabriel Gomes C
Enzo Hayashida C
Silva Silva C
Gabriel Maciel CF
Vitor Ito IF
Felipe Koragi IF
Felipe Mizukosi IF
Tiago Nishiyama IF
Lucas Rojo IF
Hugo Kanabushi LHP
Oscar Nakaoshi LHP
Enzo Sawayama LHP
Hector Villarroel LHP
Osvaldo Carvalho OF
Victor Mascai OF
Lucas Ramirez OF
Pietro Albanez RHP
Gabriel Barbosa RHP
Joseph Contreras RHP
Tiago Da Silva RHP
Murilo Gouvea RHP
Pedro Lemos RHP
Tomas Lopez RHP
Daniel Missaki RHP
Eric Pardinho RHP
Rodrigo Takahashi RHP
Thyago Vieira RHP
Leonardo Reginatto SS

CANADA

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First Name Last Name Position
Josh Naylor 1B
Edouard Julien 2B
Matthew Davidson 3B
Abraham Toro 3B
Liam Hicks C
Bo Naylor C
Logan Allen LHP
Micah Ashman LHP
Antoine Jean LHP
Adam Macko LHP
James Paxton LHP
Matt Wilkinson LHP
Rob Zastryzny LHP
Owen Caissie OF
Denzel Clarke OF
Tyler O’Neill OF
Jacob Robson OF
Phillippe Aumont RHP
Jordan Balazovic RHP
Eric Cerantola RHP
Indigo Diaz RHP
Carter Loewen RHP
Cal Quantrill RHP
Noah Skirrow RHP
Michael Soroka RHP
Jameson Taillon RHP
Adam Hall SS
Otto López SS
Tyler Black UTL
Jared Young UTL

COLOMBIA

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First Name Last Name Position
Reynaldo Rodríguez 1B
Donovan Solano 1B
Jordan Diaz 2B
Gio Urshela 3B
Jorge Alfaro C
Elias Díaz  C
Carlos Martinez C
Brayan Buelvas CF
Adrian Almeida LHP
Rio Gomez LHP
Yapson Gomez LHP
José  Quintana LHP
Reiver Sanmartín LHP
Gustavo Campero OF
Jesús Marriaga OF
Harold Ramírez OF
Elkin Alcala RHP
Austin Bergner RHP
Danis Correa RHP
Nabil Crismatt RHP
Pedro Garcia RHP
Tayron Guerrero RHP
David Lorduy RHP
Emerson Martinez RHP
Luis Patiño RHP
Jhon Romero RHP
Julio Teherán RHP
Guillo Zuñiga RHP
Michael Arroyo SS
Dayan Frias SS

CUBA

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First Name Last Name Position
Malcom Nuñez  1B
Yoel Yanqui 1B
Yiddi Cappe 2B
Yoán  Moncada 3B
Omar Hernandez C
Andrys Pérez C
Ariel Martínez IF
Naykel Cruz LHP
Daviel Hurtado LHP
Randy Martinez LHP
Liván  Moinello LHP
Darien Núñez LHP
Julio Robaina LHP
Alfredo Despaigne OF
Yoelquis Guibert OF
Leonel Moa OF
Roel Santos OF
Frank Alvarez RHP
Emmanuel Chapman RHP
Josimar Cousin RHP
Denny Larrondo RHP
Yoan López RHP
Raidel Martínez RHP
Yariel Rodriguez RHP
Osiel Rodriguez RHP
Luis Romero Jr. RHP
Pedro Santos RHP
Erisbel Barbaro Arruebarruena SS
Alexei Ramírez SS
Alexander Vargas SS

CZECHIA

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First Name Last Name Position
Ryan Johnson 1B
Terrin Vavra 2B
Matous Bubenik C
Martin Cervenka C
Martin Zelenka C
Mertin Cervinka IF
Vojtech Mensik IF
Martin Muzik IF
Jan Pospisil IF
Milan Prokop IF
Jeff Barto LHP
Tomáš Duffek LHP
Lukas Ercoli LHP
Jan Novak LHP
William Escala OF
Marek Krejcirik OF
Max Prejda OF
Michal Å indelka OF
Marek Chlup RF
Filip Capka RHP
Lukas Hlouch RHP
Filip Kollmann RHP
Michael Kovala RHP
Marek Minarik RHP
Tomas Ondra RHP
Daniel Padysak RHP
Ondrej Satoria RHP
Martin Schneider RHP
Ondrej Vank RHP
Boris Vecerka RHP

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) <!–>

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First Name Last Name Position
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
Carlos Santana 1B
Ketel Marte 2B
Junior Caminero 3B
Manny Machado 3B
Agustín  Ramírez C
Austin Wells C
Oneil Cruz CF
Julio Rodríguez CF
Johan Rojas CF
Wandy Peralta LHP
Cristopher Sanchez LHP
Gregory Soto LHP
Juan Soto RF
Fernando Tatís Jr. RF
Sandy Alcántara RHP
Elvis Alvarado RHP
Brayan Bello RHP
Huascar Brazobán RHP
Seranthony Domínguez RHP
Camilo Doval RHP
Carlos Estévez RHP
Dennis Santana RHP
Luis Severino RHP
Edwin Uceta RHP
Abner Uribe RHP
Albert Abreu RHP 
Jeremy Peña SS
Geraldo Perdomo SS
Amed Rosario UTL

ITALY

(Photo by Yuki Taguchi/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

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First Name Last Name Position
Vinnie Pasquantino 1B
Thomas Saggese 2B
Jon Berti 3B
Andrew Fischer 3B
Giaconino Lasaracina 3B
Camden Mineo C
Kyle Teel C
Sam Antonacci IF
Zach Dezenzo IF
Sam Aldegheri LHP
Joe La Sorsa LHP
Jac Caglianone OF
Dominic Canzone OF
Jakob Marsee OF
Nick Morabito OF
Dante Nori OF
Dan Altavilla RHP
Dylan DeLucia RHP
Alessandro Ercolani RHP
Matt Festa RHP
Gordon Graceffo RHP
Alek Jacob RHP
Michael Lorenzen RHP
Ron Marinaccio RHP
Kyle Nicolas RHP
Aaron Nola RHP
Adam Ottavino RHP
Gabriele Quattrini RHP
Greg Weissert RHP
Miles Mastrobuoni UTL

JAPAN

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First Name Last Name Position
Munetaka Murakami 1B
Shugo Maki 2B
Kazuma Okamoto 3B
Teruaki Sato 3B
Yuhei Nakamura C
Seishiro Sakamoto C
Kenya Wakatsuki C
Ukyo Shuto CF
Shohei Ohtani DH
Kensuke Kondo LF
Masataka Yoshida LF
Yusei Kikuchi LHP
Yuki Matsui LHP
Hiroya Miyagi LHP
Ryuhei Sotani LHP
Shota Morishita RF
Seiya Suzuki RF
Diachi Ishii RHP
Hiromi Itoh RHP
Koki Kitayama RHP
Yuki Matsumoto RHP
Taisei Ota RHP
Tomoyuki Sugano RHP
Kaima Taira RHP
Hiroto Takahashi RHP
Atsuki  Taneichi RHP
Yoshinobu Yamamoto RHP
Sosuke Genda SS
Kaito  Kozono SS
Taisei Makihara UTL

GREAT BRITAIN

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First Name Last Name Position
BJ Murray 1B
Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2B
Ivan Johnson 2B
Nate Eaton 3B
Willis Cresswell C
Harry Ford C
Kristian Robinson CF
Nick Wells LHP
Justin Wylie OF
Matt Koperniak RF
Trayce Thompson RF
Jack Anderson RHP
Brendan Beck RHP
Tristan Beck RHP
Donovan Benoit RHP
Chavez Fernander RHP
Gary Gill Hill RHP
Antonio Knowles RHP
Miles Langhorne RHP
Ryan Long RHP
Michael Petersen RHP
Jack Seppings RHP
Graham Spraker RHP
Najer Victor RHP
Tyler Viza RHP
Owen Wild RHP
Vance Worley RHP
Lucius Fox SS
Ian Lewis Jr. SS
Nick Ward SS

SOUTH KOREA

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First Name Last Name Position
Bo Gyeong Moon 1B/3B
Si Hwan Roh 1B/3B
Hyeseong Kim 2B
Min Jae Shin 2B
Shay Whitcomb 2B
Do Yeong Kim 3B
Jae Hoon Choi C
Dong Won Park C
Jung Hoo Lee CF
Hae Min Park CF
Jahmai Jones LF
Ja Wook Koo LF
Hyun Bin Moon LF
Young Kyu Kim LHP
Hyun Jin Ryu LHP
Ju Young Son LHP
Seung Ki Song LHP
Hyun Min Ahn RF
Dane Dunning RHP
Woo Suk Go RHP
Been Gwak RHP
Woo Joo Jeong RHP
Byeong Hyeon Jo RHP
Young Pyo Ko RHP
Kyung Eun Noh RHP
Riley O’Brien RHP
Yeong Hyun Park RHP
Hyeong Jun So RHP
Tae In Won RHP
Ju Won Kim SS

MEXICO

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First Name Last Name Position
Joey Meneses 1B
Rowdy Tellez 1B
Jonathan Aranda 2B
Nick Gonzales 2B
Jared Serna 2B
Joey Ortiz 3B
Ramón  Urías 3B
Alejandro Kirk C
Alexis Wilson C
Jarren Duran CF
Alek Thomas CF
Randy Arozarena LF
Alexander Armenta LHP
Brennan Bernardino LHP
Robert Garcia LHP
Samy Natera Jr. LHP
Julián  Ornelas OF
Alejandro Osuna RF
Javier Assad RHP
Taj Bradley RHP
Alex Carrillo RHP
Jesús  Cruz RHP
Daniel Duarte RHP
Luis Gastelum RHP
Andrés  Muñoz RHP
Gerardo Reyes RHP
José  Urquidy RHP
Victor Vodnik RHP
Taijuan Walker RHP
Luis Urías SS

NETHERLANDS

First Name Last Name Position
Didi Gregorius 1B
Ozzie Albies 2B
Juremi Profar 3B
Hendrik Clementina C
Chadwick Tromp C
Jurickson Profar LF
Jamdrick Cornelia LHP
Ryjeteri Merite LHP
Dayson Croes OF
Druw Jones OF
Jaydenn Estanista RHP
Wendell Floranus RHP
Arij Fransen RHP
Lars Huijer RHP
Kenley Jansen RHP
Antwone Kelly RHP
Jaitoine Kelly RHP
Kevin Kelly RHP
Shairon Martis RHP
Eric Mendez RHP
Justin Morales RHP
Shawndrick Oduber RHP
JC Sulbaran RHP
Derek West RHP
Dylan Wilson RHP
Xander Bogaerts SS
Sharlon Schoop SS
Ray-Patrick Didder UTL
Ceddanne Rafaela UTL
Delano Selassa UTL

NICARAGUA

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First Name Last Name Position
Elian Rayo 1B
Emanuel Trujillo 1B
Brandon Leytón 2B
Cheslor Cuthbert 3B
Mark Vientos 3B
Melvin Novoa C
Ronald Rivera C
Ismael Munguia CF
Cristhian Sandoval CF
Benjamin Alegria IF
Jose Orozco IF
Omar Mendoza LF
Danilo Bermudez LHP
Dilmer Mejia LHP
Oscar Rayo LHP
Carlos Teller LHP
Chase Dawson OF
Juan Montes OF
Kenword Burton RHP
Stiven Cruz RHP
Osman Gutierrez RHP
Duque Hebbert RHP
Ronald Medrano RHP
Angel Obando RHP
JC Ramírez RHP
Erasmo Ramírez  RHP
Carlos Rodríguez RHP
Bryan Torres RHP
Jeter Downs SS
Freddy Zamora SS

PANAMA

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First Name Last Name Position
Jonathan Araúz 2B
Edmundo Sosa 2B
Johan Camargo 3B
Miguel Amaya C
Leo Bernal C
Ivan Herrera C
Christian Bethancourt C/1B
Enrique Bradfield CF
Jhonny Santos CF
José Caballero IF
Logan Allen LHP
Alberto Baldonado LHP
Miguel Cienfuegos LHP
James González LHP
Kenny Hernández LHP
Andy Otero LHP
Allen Córdoba OF
Jose Ramos OF
Dario Agrazal RHP
Jaime Barria RHP
Paolo Espino RHP
Jorge García RHP
Miguel Gómez RHP
Javy Guerra RHP
Ariel Jurado RHP
Humberto Mejía RHP
Abdiel Mendoza RHP
Erian Rodríguez RHP
Leo Jiménez SS
Rubén Tejada SS

PUERTO RICO

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First Name Last Name Position
Nolan Arenado 3B
Darrell Hernáiz 3B
Emmanuel Rivera 3B/1B
Martín  Maldonado C
Christian Vázquez C
Matthew Lugo CF
Willi Castro LF
Carlos Cortes LF
Raymond Burgos LHP
Jovani Morán LHP
Eduardo Rivera LHP
Gabriel Rodríguez LHP
MJ Melendez OF
Bryan Torres OF
Heliot Ramos RF
Eddie Rosario RF
Fernando Cruz RHP
José De León RHP
Edwin Diaz RHP
José Espada RHP
Rico Garcia RHP
Jorge Lopez RHP
Seth Lugo RHP
Luis Quinones RHP
Angel Reyes RHP
Yacksel Ríos RHP
Elmer Rodríguez RHP
Ricardo Velez RHP
Edwin Arroyo SS
Luis Vázquez SS

TAIPEI

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First Name Last Name Position
Jonathon Long 1B
Shao-Hung Chiang C
Kungkuan Giljegiljaw C
Chia-Cheng Lin C
Stuart Fairchild CF
Hao Yu Lee IF
Nien-Ting Wu IF
Kuan-Yu Chen LHP
Yu Min Lin LHP
Wei-En Lin LHP
Chen-Wei Chen OF
Chieh-Hsien Chen OF
An-Ko Lin OF
Yi Chang RHP
Po-Yu Chen RHP
Hao-Chun Cheng RHP
Ruei-Yang Gu Lin RHP
Jo-Hsi Hsu RHP
Chih-Wei Hu RHP
Kai-Wei Lin RHP
Shih-Hsiang Lin RHP
Tzu-Chen Sha RHP
Yi-Lei Sun RHP
Jyun-Yue Tseng RHP
Jun-Wei Zhang RHP
Chen Zhuang RHP
Yu-Cheng Chang SS
Tsung Cheng SS
Kun-Yu Chiang SS
Tzu-Wei Lin UTL

UNITED STATES

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First Name Last Name  Position
Paul Goldschmidt 1B
Bryce Harper 1B
Brice Turang 2B
Alex Bregman 3B
Cal Raleigh C
Will Smith C
Byron Buxton CF
Pete Crow-Armstrong CF
Kyle Schwarber DH
Corbin Carroll LF
Matt Boyd LHP
Garrett Cleavinger LHP
Clayton Kershaw LHP
Tarik Skubal LHP
Gabe Speier LHP
Aaron Judge RF
David Bednar RHP
Clay Holmes RHP
Griffin Jax RHP
Brad Keller RHP
Nolan McLean RHP
Mason Miller RHP
Joe Ryan RHP
Paul Skenes RHP
Michael Wacha RHP
Logan Webb RHP
Garrett Whitlock RHP
Gunnar Henderson SS
Bobby Witt Jr SS
Ernie Clement UTL

VENEZUELA

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First Name Last Name Position
Luis Arráez 1B
Willson Contreras 1B
Gleyber Torres 2B
Andrés  Giménez 2B/SS
Maikel Garcia 3B
Eugenio Suárez 3B
William Contreras C
Salvador Perez C
Jackson Chourio CF
Jose Alvarado LHP
Enmanuel De Jesus LHP
Oddanier Mosqueda LHP
Eduardo Rodríguez LHP
Ricardo Sánchez LHP
Ranger Suárez LHP
Angel Zerpa LHP
Wilyer Abreu RF
Ronald Acuña Jr. RF
Eduard Bazardo RHP
José  Buttó RHP
Yoendrys Gómez RHP
Carlos Guzman RHP
Pablo López RHP
Andrés  Machado RHP
Germán  Márquez  RHP
Keider Montero RHP
Daniel Palencia RHP
Antonio Senzatela RHP
Ezequiel Tovar SS
Javier Sanoja UTL

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World Baseball Classic Power Rankings: Who Joins USA, Japan As Favorites?

Three years after Shohei Ohtani struck out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout to claim Japan’s third World Baseball Classic title, baseball’s biggest international tournament is only weeks away from returning. 

In its quest to rebound, Team USA has reloaded its roster with the best one it has ever assembled — a group that includes AL MVP Aaron Judge and the AL and NL Cy Young Award winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes — as it enters the 2026 WBC as the favorites. 

Pool play for the 20-team tournament begins on March 5 and culminates with the championship on March 17 in Miami. Here are the 20 teams in the tournament, ranked from 20 to 1, along with players to watch. 

THE LONGSHOTS 

20. Brazil

Player to Watch: Lucas Ramirez, Outfielder

Brazil will be playing in the tournament for the first time since 2013 and only their second appearance ever in the tournament. 

19. Czech Republic

Player to Watch: Terrin Vavra, Infielder

Sure, the WBC is incredible because it can provide moments like the final out of the 2023 WBC when Ohtani struck out Trout. But part of its charm is that it can also set up a matchup like Ondrej Satoria, an electrician who moonlights as a pitcher for the Czech Republic, facing off against Ohtani … and triumphing. Satoria, whose fastball topped out in the high-70s, struck out the best player in the game on three pitches in one of the coolest moments of the last tournament. They’re in the same pool as Japan again. 

18. Nicaragua

Player to Watch: Mark Vientos, Infielder

The most obvious player to watch on the field for this team is Mets infielder Mark Vientos. The most obvious person to watch, however, might be 76-year-old Dusty Baker, who is set to manage the Nicaraguan team. 
 

17. Chinese Taipei

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Player to Watch: Yu Chang, Shortstop

Chinese Taipei won gold at the 2024 Premier12 tournament. Now, this team will try to ride that momentum into the WBC led by Yu Chang, who was the 2023 Pool A MVP despite his team not advancing. Chang went 7-for-16 with two homers and two doubles in the last tournament. 
 

WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON 

16. Great Britain

Player to Watch: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Second Baseman

Great Britain won a WBC game for the first time ever in the last tournament, upsetting Colombia. It’ll be a tough draw ahead in a pool with USA, Mexico and Italy. But while reliever Aroldis Chapman won’t be pitching for Great Britain, as some had initially hoped, the team will have Jazz Chisholm Jr. starring in the lineup. 

15. Australia

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Player to Watch: Travis Bazzana, Second Baseman

Coming off a surprise run to the quarterfinals — and nearly a trip to the semifinals — in the 2023 WBC, Guardians top prospect Travis Bazzana will try to help Australia build on its success. White Sox infielder Curtis Mead will be joining him, and Robbie Glendinning, Rixon Wingrove, Alex Hall, Tim Kennelly and Robbie Perkins — who all homered in the last WBC — are back for more. 

14. Colombia

Player to Watch: Jose Quintana, Pitcher

Offense might again be hard to come by for this group, which had a .525 OPS in the last tournament and needed to win its qualifier to make it to this year’s WBC. Still, MLB vets Jose Quintana, Julio Teheran, Nabil Crismatt and Luis Patino give them a chance on the mound.

13. Panama

Player to Watch: Ivan Herrera, Catcher

Herrera, who has a 132 OPS+ the last two years in St. Louis, will be one of the offensive standouts. But the lineup will also boast more familiar MLB names, from Jose Caballero to Edmundo Sosa and Miguel Amaya. Meanwhile, they’ll have Guardians starter Logan Allen and Ariel Jurado, who was 15-8 with a 2.60 ERA in the KBO last year, as part of the rotation. This is an interesting team to watch. 

12. Israel

Player to Watch: Harrison Bader, Center Fielder

Team Israel went 1-3 and failed to advance out of pool play in the 2023 WBC. It will be a tough task again this year in a group that includes the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, but Harrison Bader, Spencer Horwitz, Garrett Stubbs, Matt Mervis, Dean Kremer, Tommy Kahnle and Max Lazar will be among the talents with MLB experience who will give them a shot. 

11. Netherlands

Player to Watch: Jurickson Profar, Left Fieder

They’ll be managed by new Hall of Famer Andruw Jones, whose son, D-backs prospect Druw Jones, will be on the team. The Netherlands made semifinal appearances in 2013 and 2017 before failing to advance out of pool play in 2023 due to tiebreaker rules. An offense featuring Jurickson Profar, Xander Bogaerts, Ceddanne Rafaela, Ozzie Albies and Chadwick Tromp can make some noise, but their pitching might have a tough time on the national stage. 
 

THE SLEEPERS 

10. Cuba

Players to Watch: Yoan Moncada (3B), Yariel Rodriguez (RHP), Raidel Martínez (RHP)

Cuba made it to the semifinals in 2023 WBC with Yoán Moncada leading the way. He went 10-for-23 in the tournament and is back in 2026. Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez and Raidel Martínez, one of NPB’s most dominant closers, are among the club’s talented arms, but it might be an uphill battle for Cuba to enjoy the same success they did in 2023. 

9. Korea

Players to Watch: Jung Hoo Lee (CF), Hyeseong Kim (2B), Hyun-Jin Ryu (LHP)

Korea failed to advance out of pool play in the last tournament, which was surprising to see. Tommy Edman won’t be participating this time around as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery, but Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee will still get a boost from more MLB talents this time around both in the lineup (Hyeseong Kim, Jahmai Jones, Shay Whitcomb) and on the mound (Dane Dunning, Riley O’Brien). 

The latter additions are especially important, considering Korea’s pitchers tallied a 7.55 ERA in the last WBC. Infielder Do Yeong Kim and outfielder Ja Wook Koo — who each hit  more than 30 homers in the KBO in 2024 — are among the other names to watch in the lineup, while former MLB All-Star Hyun-Jin Ryu, now 38, will be a familiar face on the pitching staff. Ryu, who was unable to pitch in the last tournament due to injury, was still getting it done in the KBO last season with a 3.23 ERA in 26 starts for the Hanwha Eagles.

8. Italy

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Players to Watch: Vinnie Pasquantino (1B), Aaron Nola (RHP), Kyle Teel (C)

After making it to the quarterfinals in the 2023 WBC, Italy’s squad is on the rise. Vinnie Pasquantino is back, and he’ll be joined by a lot more rising MLB talents in this year’s tournament, including Royals teammate Jac Caglianone, White Sox standout Kyle Teel and Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee. Perhaps most importantly, the pitching staff will have its best starter ever in the tournament with the addition of Aaron Nola. Italy will have a tough time advancing from a pool that features the USA and Mexico at the top, but it has a chance to gain some early momentum starting the competition against Brazil and Great Britain. 

7. Canada

Players to Watch: Josh Naylor (1B), Tyler O’Neill (OF), Owen Caissie (OF)

Canada has never advanced past the group stage, but even without Freddie Freeman this time around, this could be their year to do so. Canada will get to avoid fellow North American squads USA and Mexico — the teams that prevented them from advancing in 2023 — in a pool with Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba and Panama. There are major-leaguers sprinkled throughout the lineup beyond the Naylor brothers, including Tyler O’Neill, Otto Lopez, Edouard Julien, Abraham Toro and Liam Hicks, and MLB starters Mike Soroka, Jameson Taillon and Cal Quantrill — as well as dynamic outfield defender Denzel Clarke — might be able to mask some of the bullpen concerns. Outfielder Owen Caissie, the prize of the Edward Cabrera trade, will be another player to watch on the international stage. 

THE TOP CONTENDERS 

6. Puerto Rico 

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Players to Watch: Edwin Diaz (RHP), Seth Lugo (RHP), Nolan Arenado (3B)

After falling to Mexico in the last WBC quarterfinal, this isn’t the full group that Puerto Rico hoped to compile in 2026 as a dark-horse title contender. Ideally, Francisco Lindor would be captaining a Puerto Rico team that’s hosting games in San Juan, but the Mets star was denied insurance after a cleanup procedure on his elbow this offseason. Carlos Correa, Victor Caratini, Emilio Pagan, Jose Berrios and Alexis Diaz were also reportedly among the players denied insurance, too, and Riley Greene decided not to play for Puerto Rico.

But this is still a formidable group that should have a chip on its shoulder. Edwin Díaz, whose freak injury celebrating during the 2023 WBC may have led to some of these stricter insurance policies, will be there to finish games. Seth Lugo, Nolan Arenado, Willi Castro, Heliot Ramos, Fernando Cruz and top Yankees pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez are among the top talents on a Puerto Rico team that finished second in the tournament in 2013 and 2017. 

5. Mexico

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Players to Watch: Randy Arozarena (LF), Jarren Duran (CF), Andres Muñoz (RHP)

Mexico nearly upset Japan in the 2023 WBC to make it to the championship before settling for a third-place finish. Randy Arozarena, Jarren Duran, Jonathan Aranda, Alek Thomas, Taijuan Walker, José Urquidy and Javier Assad will be among the top returners from that group hoping to make a similar charge in 2026.  

This time, they’ll also have Alejandro Kirk and Joey Ortiz in the lineup, Taj Bradley as a starting pitching option and Andres Muñoz as their shutdown closer. There are stronger rotations in this tournament, but they certainly have the pieces to make another deep run. 

4. Venezuela

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Players to Watch: Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF), Jackson Chourio (CF), Salvador Perez (C)

Even without Jose Altuve and Miguel Rojas, who were unable to get insured for the tournament, captain Salvador Perez will be surrounded by big-league talent around him at the 2026 WBC. An outfield composed of Ronald Acuna Jr., Jackson Chourio and Wilyer Abreu can go toe-to-toe with any of the behemoths. Maikel Garcia, coming off a breakout All-Star campaign in Kansas City, will be playing in his first WBC. 

Eugenio Suárez, who led all MLB third basemen with 49 homers in 2025 and went 7-for-14 in the last WBC, will be back. The lineup will also have bat-to-ball skills with Luis Arraez and Gleyber Torres, and the rotation will have a strong 1-2 punch at the top with Pablo López and Ranger Suárez. Don’t sleep on this group. 

3. Japan

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Players to Watch: Shohei Ohtani (DH), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (RHP), Munetaka Murakami (1B)

It’s probably unfair to put Japan here. While Samurai Japan doesn’t boast the same number of MLB superstars as the top two teams on this list, they’re still the kings of international competition until proven otherwise. Japan is the only team to win the tournament multiple times, and it will be returning 10 players from a 2023 group that blitzed the competition. Japan outscored its pool-play opponents in the last tournament by 30 runs, and this time Seiya Suzuki will be available after missing the previous competition due to injury. 

Ohtani will only be available as a DH this time around, but there are nine MLB players — including new MLB players Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto — amid a core of talents who know one another well, and the litany of NPB standouts on manager Hirokazu Ibata’s roster will have plenty of time to prepare together as Japan attempts to defend its crown.

2. Dominican Republic

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Players to Watch: Juan Soto (RF), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF)

After winning the tournament in 2013, the Dominican Republic didn’t make it out of the second round in 2017. Surprisingly, it got even worse for Team D.R. in 2023, as the extraordinarily talented group failed to emerge from pool play after losing to Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Surely, that will be on the team’s mind this go-around. With a roster that includes Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Ketel Marte, Jeremy Peña, Manny Machado, Junior Caminero and Geraldo Perdomo, the club is oozing with MLB stars. 

The offense is what makes this group a championship contender, but they’ll also have a more robust pitching staff this time around. Cristopher Sánchez, Luis Severino and Brayan Bello will be joining a rotation that includes 2023 holdover Sandy Alcantara. This could be their year. 

1. USA

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Players to Watch: Aaron Judge (RF), Tarik Skubal (LHP), Paul Skenes (RHP)

In the 2023 WBC, USA finished in second place with a rotation of Merrill Kelly, Lance Lynn, Adam Wainwright and Nick Martinez. In 2026, they’ll have reigning Cy Young Award winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes and All-Stars Logan Webb and Joe Ryan. It’s a massive upgrade for manager Mark DeRosa’s squad, and that’s before getting to a lineup that will now include reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, the AL and NL MVP runners-up in Cal Raleigh and Kyle Schwarber and a star-studded group from top to bottom. The worst position player on the USA’s roster would be the best player for most of the teams in the tournament. This is the best team USA has ever fielded, and it’s not close. They’re in prime position to avenge their 2023 finals defeat. 
 

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Tigers’ Tarik Skubal Wins Salary Arbitration Case, Will Be Paid Record $32M

Tarik Skubal won his salary arbitration hearing with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, and the two-time Cy Young Award winner will be paid a record $32 million this year instead of the team’s $19 million offer.

Jeanne Charles, Walt De Treux and Allen Ponak made the decision one day after listening to arguments.

A two-time All-Star, Skubal will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. The 29-year-old left-hander is 54-37 with a 3.08 ERA in six MLB seasons.

Skubal was 13-6 with an American League-best 2.21 ERA in 31 starts last year, striking out 241 and walking 33 in 195 1/3 innings while earning $10.5 million. His 0.891 WHIP topped qualified pitchers.

After the hearing Wednesday, the Tigers agreed to a $115 million, three-year contract with left-hander Framber Valdez, a deal pending a successful physical.

Players have won the first three decisions this offseason. Right-hander Kyle Bradish was awarded $3.55 million instead of the Baltimore Orioles’ offer of $2,875,000, and catcher Yainer Diaz received $4.5 million instead of the Houston Astros’ $3 million proposal.

Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. previously held the record for the highest salary in an arbitration case decided by a panel, winning at $19.9 million in 2024 in a case decided by Charles, De Treux and Scott Buchheit.

Then-Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado submitted a record request of $30 million in 2019, then agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract without a hearing.

Juan Soto’s $31 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2024 had been the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player. David Price previously held the highest negotiated salary in a one-year contract for an arbitration-eligible pitcher, a $19.75 million agreement with Detroit in 2015.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Framber Valdez Reportedly Signs Three-Year, $115 Million Deal With Tigers

Framber Valdez, the highest-rated starting pitcher in free agency, has agreed to a three-year, $115 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, according to a report from ESPN on Wednesday.

Valdez becomes an instant ace for the team, with the hard-throwing lefty bringing championship experience after six full seasons with the Astros, including the 2022 World Series-winning squad. 

After earning All-Star nods in 2022 and 2023 and finishing in the top 10 in Cy Young voting for a third straight season in 2024, Valdez’s contract year didn’t exactly go to plan. Following a typically terrific first half in which he went 10-4 with a 2.75 ERA, he was 3-7 with a 5.20 ERA after the break, and he had the weird cross-up controversy with catcher Cesar Salazar. In the end, his 3.66 ERA was his highest in a season since 2019. 

Valdez, who led the American League with 201.1 innings pitched in 2022, works through trouble, provides length and is accustomed to pitching in the postseason; he has thrown eight complete games since 2022 and made 16 postseason starts with the Astros. In 2022, Valdez posted a 1.44 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across four postseason starts (and 25 innings pitched) en route to the Astros winning the World Series.

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Mickey Lolich, 1968 World Series MVP for Detroit Tigers, Dies at 85

Mickey Lolich, who had three complete-game victories for the Detroit Tigers in the 1968 World Series, the last Major League Baseball pitcher to post the incredible feat, died Wednesday. He was 85.

The Tigers said Lolich’s wife told them that he died after a short stay in hospice care. An exact cause of death was not provided.

Denny McLain was the star of Detroit’s pitching staff in 1968, winning 31 regular-season games. But Lolich was the Most Valuable Player of the Series, with an ERA of 1.67 and a Game 7 road victory over Bob Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bill Freehan threw off his catcher’s mask and caught a foul pop-up by Tim McCarver for the final out. Lolich jumped into Freehan’s arms — an iconic image of Detroit’s championship season.

“It was always somebody else,” Lolich told the Detroit Free Press in 2018, “but my day had finally come.”

He’s 23rd in career strikeouts with 2,832, ahead of many others who, unlike Lolich, are in the Hall of Fame, and fifth among all lefties, according to baseball-reference.com.

Lolich was an unlikely hero in 1968. During a reunion of the World Series team, he recalled how manager Mayo Smith had sent him to the bullpen for much of August. He returned to the Tigers’ starting rotation and was 6-1 in the final weeks.

“I was having a few problems, but I had been a starting pitcher ever since 1964,” said Lolich, who was upset about the bullpen move. “I remember telling him, ‘If we win this thing this year it’s going to be because of me.’ But I was only talking about the season. I wasn’t talking about the World Series.

“I got my revenge back in the World Series,” he said.

Lolich pitched Game 7 after only two days of rest. He figured he would get a Corvette from General Motors for being the Series MVP but had to settle for a Dodge Charger GT because Chrysler was the sponsor in 1968.

“Nothing against Chargers, nothing at all,” Lolich said in his book, “Joy in Tigertown.” “It’s just that I already had two of them in my driveway.”

Mickey Lolich is first in Tigers history with 2,679 strikeouts and 39 shutouts.  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) <!–>

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Since Lolich, only Arizona’s Randy Johnson in 2001 has won three games in a World Series, though Johnson pitched about 10 fewer innings and was a relief pitcher, not a starter, in Game 7.

Lolich had a record of 220-192, including the postseason, over a 16-year career, all but three with Detroit. He left baseball after playing for the New York Mets in 1976 but returned with the San Diego Padres from 1978-79.

The left-hander was 25-14 in 1971, striking out 308 batters over 376 innings and finishing second in American League Cy Young Award voting. He followed that up with a 22-14 record and 250 strikeouts in 1972.

In a statement, the Tigers expressed condolences to Lolich’s family and said his legacy “will forever be cherished.”

After his baseball career, Lolich, a native of Portland, Oregon, was in the doughnut business in suburban Detroit, making and selling them for 18 years.

“I doubt any other ballplayer has ever made that transition — from the diamond to doughnuts. But I did,” he wrote in his book.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Tarik Skubal, Tigers Set For Salary Arbitration Hearing; Here’s What That Means

Arguably the best starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers are going to a salary arbitration hearing to determine the southpaw’s 2026 salary.

What’s the issue? What does this mean? Here’s how the process works.

The issue between Skubal and the Tigers

Skubal, who’s a free agent after the 2026 MLB season, and the Tigers can’t agree to a salary for the 2026 season and are subsequently going to a salary arbitration meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Detroit is reportedly offering $19 million, while Skubal seeks a record $32 million. The star lefty made $10.15 million in 2025, which itself was a significant raise from 2024’s $2.65 million salary thanks to winning his first of two Cy Young awards.

What is salary arbitration?

It’s a process deployed in the MLB offseason to determine salaries for select players in the upcoming season. It takes place when a player and team can’t agree to a salary, with the mandated hearing typically scheduled for February and brought in front of a three-person panel of arbitrators. Those individuals decide whether to accept the player or team salary proposal. 

[The Big Picture: Why the Skubal-Tigers Salary Standoff Could Make MLB History]

The Tigers are a “trial and file” team, meaning they go through the full arbitration process if the two sides can’t agree on a figure by the filing deadline rather than settle beforehand.

How does the process work? Who’s eligible?

An individual has one year of service time under their belt at the MLB level after 172 days in a given year. Then, once a player reaches three years of service time, they’re eligible for arbitration, so long as they haven’t already signed a contract for the ensuing season. Once a player has reached his arbitration years, they are eligible for this process until they reach free agency.

What’s the biggest arbitration salary in MLB history?

Juan Soto made $31 million with the New York Yankees in 2024 before hitting free agency the following offseason, making Skubal’s $32 million filing a potential record not just for pitchers, but for any arbitration salary.

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