Edwin Díaz Commits to 2026 World Baseball Classic Amid Controversy Over Player Eligibility
Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz is officially suiting up for Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic - his third time representing the island on the global stage. The All-Star reliever confirmed his commitment ahead of Thursday’s final roster deadline, stepping into a tournament that’s already stirring up heated debate among Latin American teams about how player eligibility is being handled.
At the heart of the issue? Insurance restrictions that have left key players in limbo just days before rosters are due. Team Puerto Rico’s operations manager, Joey Solá, didn’t hold back when voicing his frustration.
“In some ways, I think it’s a little bit unfair,” Solá said, pointing to the confusion surrounding Francisco Lindor’s eligibility. “Who in the world would think Lindor wasn’t on the list?
You wait until the last weekend to get an answer on Lindor? C’mon.”
Solá emphasized that the delays and denials aren’t coming from the WBC itself, but rather from insurance companies tasked with approving player participation. That’s led to a baffling situation: players with injury histories and massive MLB contracts are cleared, while others - including minor leaguers without guaranteed deals - are getting flagged.
“I got guys on my roster who will be playing at the Double-A level with no MLB guarantee, no spring training invite, and they get flagged,” Solá said. “And guys on other teams who can play in the WBC are earning $30 million per year. It’s kind of tough to understand it.”
Díaz Returns to the WBC After 2023 Injury
For Díaz, this WBC appearance carries a little extra weight. The last time he pitched in the tournament - back in 2023 - he suffered a devastating injury while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win over the Dominican Republic. The torn patellar tendon in his right knee sidelined him for the entire 2023 MLB season.
Now healthy and coming off a dominant 2025 campaign, Díaz is looking to rewrite the narrative. The 32-year-old posted a 1.63 ERA over 66.1 innings last season, striking out 98 batters across 62 appearances. That performance helped land him a three-year, $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason - a move that signaled both his return to form and the Dodgers’ belief in his ability to anchor the back end of their bullpen.
The good news for Dodgers fans? Even if Puerto Rico makes a deep run, the WBC wraps up on March 17, well ahead of MLB’s Opening Day. Barring any setbacks, Díaz should be ready to go when the regular season begins.
Dodgers Well-Represented in the 2026 WBC
Díaz isn’t the only Dodger heading to the international tournament. In fact, six players from L.A.’s roster are currently set to compete.
Leading the way for Team Japan are Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto - two of the most electric arms in the game and cornerstones of the Dodgers’ present and future. Japan is aiming to defend its WBC title, and with those two on the mound, they’ve got a real shot.
Team USA will feature Dodgers catcher Will Smith behind the plate, and in a surprise twist, he’ll be joined by none other than Clayton Kershaw. The longtime Dodgers ace had announced his retirement following the 2025 season, but he’s lacing them up one more time to represent his country.
Rounding out the Dodgers’ WBC contingent is infielder Hyeseong Kim, who will suit up for Team Korea.
Final rosters for the tournament will be announced Thursday at 4:00 p.m. PT, so there’s still a chance more Dodgers join the mix. But even as things stand, L.A. will be well-represented on baseball’s biggest international stage.
As for Díaz, his return to the WBC is more than just a comeback - it’s a statement. After a long road back from injury, he’s ready to compete, ready to close, and ready to remind the world why he’s one of the most dominant arms in the game.