As Spring Training gears up and the 2026 MLB season looms, another global baseball spectacle is set to take center stage: the World Baseball Classic. With rosters for all 20 participating nations now officially announced, the tournament is shaping up to be a star-studded affair-and the reigning back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are well represented.
Five Dodgers from the big-league roster are suiting up for their countries, headlined, of course, by none other than Shohei Ohtani. The four-time MVP and two-way phenom will once again lead Team Japan as they look to defend their WBC crown. Ohtani’s presence alone elevates Japan’s status as a favorite, but he won’t be going it alone.
Joining him is fellow countryman and Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, fresh off a 2025 season that ended with World Series MVP honors. Yamamoto’s electric arsenal and poise under pressure make him a key figure in Japan’s rotation.
But while fans might have hoped for a full Dodger trio on Team Japan, second-year sensation Roki Sasaki will remain stateside, continuing his ramp-up for the MLB season at Camelback Ranch. That decision appears to come from within the Dodgers’ camp, a move likely rooted in long-term planning for the regular season grind.
Elsewhere on the international stage, fan-favorite Hyeseong Kim is set to rejoin Team Korea. The versatile infielder has become a spark plug for the Dodgers and brings that same energy to the Korean roster. His ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball makes him a valuable asset for a Korean squad looking to make a deep run.
Newly acquired right-hander Edwin Díaz will bring his electric fastball and signature intensity to Team Puerto Rico, a group that’s been hit hard by injuries and roster turnover. Díaz’s presence could be a stabilizing force for a team looking to regroup and compete on the world stage.
Behind the plate, All-Star catcher Will Smith will don the red, white, and blue for Team USA. He’ll be splitting duties with 2025 AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, giving the American squad arguably the most formidable catching tandem in the tournament. Smith’s game-calling, leadership, and power bat make him a cornerstone piece for both the Dodgers and Team USA.
And while he won’t be taking the field, it’s hard to talk about Dodgers and the WBC without tipping the cap to Clayton Kershaw. The legendary lefty hung up his cleats last September, ending an 18-year Hall of Fame-worthy career that included three World Series titles.
Kershaw had hoped to pitch in the 2023 WBC but was sidelined by insurance hurdles-a challenge that’s once again impacted player availability this year. Still, his legacy continues to loom large, both in Los Angeles and across the baseball world.
The Dodgers’ impact on the WBC doesn’t stop at the major league level. Two prospects from the organization’s farm system will also be representing their countries.
Infielder Jake Gelof is set to suit up for Team Israel, while pitcher Shawndrick Oduber will join Team Netherlands. For both, the tournament offers a unique opportunity to gain experience on a global stage and showcase their potential against top-tier talent.
As the WBC gets underway, the Dodgers’ fingerprints are all over the tournament-from MVPs and All-Stars to rising prospects. For fans in L.A., it’s a chance to see their stars shine on a different kind of stage.
For the players, it’s a rare opportunity to represent something even bigger than a franchise: their countries. And for the rest of us, it’s just great baseball.