The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to the global stage, and in 2026, they’ll be well-represented once again at the World Baseball Classic. As the tournament approaches, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman opened up about the club’s approach to balancing national pride with long-term goals - and how they’re working with players to make it all fit.
“We understand the immense pride that these guys feel for representing their country,” Friedman said. And that pride is real - whether it’s the stars of Team Japan or the veterans of Team USA, the WBC isn’t just another tournament. For many players, it’s a chance to wear their country’s colors and compete on a truly international stage.
But for the Dodgers, who are built to play deep into October, there’s always a delicate dance between letting players chase that dream and making sure they’re healthy and ready for the MLB grind. “It’s just about partnering up with them,” Friedman continued. “Understanding where they’re at, what their thoughts are, how we do it the best way.”
In other words, it’s a collaborative process - not a mandate. And that’s reflected in the decisions we’re seeing across the roster.
Who’s In for the Dodgers?
Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are set to suit up for Japan once again, looking to defend their WBC title after a dominant showing last time around. This will be the second straight WBC appearance for both stars, and with their pedigree, expectations are sky-high. Ohtani, in particular, has become the face of international baseball, and pairing him with Yamamoto again gives Japan a one-two punch few teams can match.
One notable absence from that group, though, is Roki Sasaki. After spending most of the 2025 season on the injured list, Sasaki will stay back with the Dodgers to focus on his recovery and ramp-up for the regular season. It’s a smart, cautious move - and one that underscores how the team is balancing individual ambition with organizational health.
On the American side, catcher Will Smith will don the red, white, and blue for Team USA. Smith continues to solidify his place among the game's elite backstops, and his presence behind the plate will be a big boost for a U.S. squad looking to reclaim WBC glory.
Then there’s Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers legend may have retired from Major League Baseball after the 2025 season, but he’s not quite done competing.
Kershaw will make his long-awaited WBC debut this year, a fitting final chapter for one of the greatest pitchers of his generation. For Kershaw, it’s one last ride - not just for the love of the game, but for the love of country.
Who’s Sitting This One Out?
Not every Dodger will be making the trip. Mookie Betts, a regular for Team USA in the past, is sitting this one out for a good reason - and it’s a personal one. Betts and his wife Brianna are expecting a baby during the tournament.
“I was, but I can’t now,” Betts said during a 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.”
It’s a classic Betts moment - honest, funny, and grounded in what matters most. Family first, even when the WBC comes calling.
Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas also won’t be participating, revealing that insurance complications are keeping him from representing his home country.
“I am very sad today,” Rojas wrote in a message translated from Spanish. “It’s a real shame not to be able to represent my country and wear that flag on my chest.”
It’s a tough break for a player who wears his national pride on his sleeve, but again, it’s a reminder of how many moving parts there are when the WBC rolls around - from health to logistics to personal life.
What’s Next?
So far, four Dodgers have officially committed to the WBC, but that number could still grow. With rosters still being finalized, there’s room for more names to join the international action.
All 20 participating countries are set to unveil their full rosters on Thursday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET on MLB Network.
For now, the Dodgers are doing what they do best - staying thoughtful, strategic, and supportive. They’re letting players chase their dreams, while keeping one eye on the bigger picture: a return to the World Series.
And if the WBC gives their stars a little extra fire heading into the season? That’s a win all around.