Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke about L.A.'s process with players going to the WBC.
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke about Dodgers players participating in the WBC in 2026.
The executive spoke about the club’s process in getting their players to the WBC.
“We understand the immense pride that these guys feel for representing their country in that competition,” Friedman said. “…Talking to these guys it’s just about partnering up with them. Understanding where they’re at, what their thoughts are, how we do it the best way. We have designs to play through October so what does that look like in February, March? Just how to balance all of it.
“But really good conversations with all those guys, and at the end of the day we are supportive.”
Which Dodgers are Playing at the WBC?
The Dodgers have plenty of representatives at the World Baseball Classic as the best team in the country.
Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will both participate in their second consecutive WBC, and will look to take home the trophy for the second time as well. While Ohtani and Yamamoto will be present, Roki Sasaki will remain with the Dodgers after spending most of the 2025 season on the injured list.
Will Smith will feature for Team USA during the tournament as well, and Clayton Kershaw will make his first WBC appearance after retiring from MLB after the end of the 2025 season.
Mookie Betts won’t be joining Team USA as he usually does, though, as he and his wife Brianna are expecting a baby during the tournament.
“I was, but I can’t now,” Betts said on Adin Ross’ livestream in December. “My wife, we’re having a kid, so, the baby’s due in the middle of the WBC. She said she’d divorce me if I wasn’t there.”
Miguel Rojas also announced his absence from the competition Thursday, revealing he would miss out due to insurance issues.
“I am very sad today,” Rojas wrote in a caption translated from Spanish to English. “It’s a real shame not to be able to represent my country and wear that flag on my chest.”
While only four Dodgers have announced their participation in the WBC in March, plenty more could still find their way to the tournament as teams still have time fill out their rosters.
All 20 teams in the WBC will release their full rosters for the WBC Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET on MLB Network.
Category: General Sports
