The World Baseball Classic is making its return in 2026, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are already shaping up to have a strong presence in the tournament - both in participation and in absence.
Shohei Ohtani, who helped lead Team Japan to the title in 2023, was the first Dodger to commit to the 2026 WBC. He’ll suit up once again for his home country, looking to defend Japan’s crown. Not long after, Dodgers catcher Will Smith announced he’ll be representing Team USA, giving the red, white, and blue a steady, proven presence behind the plate.
But not every Dodger will be joining the international stage this time around. Mookie Betts, who played a key role for Team USA in the 2023 tournament, revealed he’s opting out of the 2026 Classic - and for good reason.
Speaking during a livestream, Betts explained his decision with the kind of honesty fans have come to appreciate from him: “Nah, man. I was, but I can’t now.
My wife, we’re having a kid, so the baby is due right in the middle of the WBC. She said she would divorce me if I wasn’t there for the kid.
It is what it is.”
That’s about as real as it gets. For Betts, family comes first - and the timing just doesn’t line up.
His absence will be felt. In 2023, Betts appeared in seven games for Team USA, posting a .313 batting average with 10 hits in 32 at-bats.
He added a double, an RBI, and scored seven runs. While his power numbers were quiet, his consistency at the top of the lineup helped set the tone for a squad that made it all the way to the championship game before falling to Japan.
The 33-year-old is coming off a somewhat uneven 2025 campaign with the Dodgers, hitting .258 with a .326 on-base percentage and .406 slugging over 150 games. But context matters - Betts made a full-time switch to shortstop, a demanding position he hadn’t played regularly in the big leagues. That transition took a toll, especially at the plate.
Still, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains confident in Betts’ ability to bounce back. With a full offseason to focus on refining his approach and no WBC to ramp up for, Betts could benefit from the extra rest - both physically and mentally - heading into 2026.
Elsewhere on the Dodgers roster, more international commitments could be on the way. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has expressed interest in joining Ohtani on Team Japan, while Alex Vesia is a potential option for Team USA.
Freddie Freeman is eyeing a return with Team Canada, continuing his long-standing national team ties. Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernández has already opted out of playing for the Dominican Republic, and at least one more Dodger is expected to sit this one out as well.
As for the tournament itself, the 2026 World Baseball Classic kicks off on March 4, with Chinese Taipei and Australia squaring off in the opening game. Team USA begins its campaign on March 6 in Houston, Texas, and the championship is set for March 17 at loanDepot park in Miami.
Team USA will be looking to reclaim the title it last won in 2017, while Japan - the only country to win the WBC more than once - enters as the defending champion. With stars like Ohtani back in the mix and rosters still taking shape, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in international baseball.