With just 66 days to go until the Milwaukee Brewers open their 2026 season against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field, fans already have something to look forward to - and it’s not just Spring Training. This year marks the return of the World Baseball Classic, and several Brewers are set to represent their countries on one of baseball’s biggest international stages.
For those new to the WBC, think of it as baseball’s version of the World Cup - a global tournament where players suit up for their home nations. It kicks off with pool play on March 4 and wraps up with the championship game on March 17. While early-round games will be spread across Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami, the knockout rounds - including the semifinals and final - will all take place at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins.
And the Brewers? They’ll be well represented.
Brice Turang is currently the only Brewer officially committed to Team USA. Freddy Peralta will bring his electric arm to the Dominican Republic’s rotation, and Tyler Black is set to wear the maple leaf for Team Canada.
While it hasn’t been confirmed yet, it’s expected that Sal Frelick will once again play for Team Italy. Meanwhile, William Contreras and Jackson Chourio remain potential additions to Team Venezuela, though neither has locked in their participation.
Now, there’s another name to add to the Brewers' international roster - Carlos Rodríguez.
Rodríguez, the 24-year-old right-hander, is officially set to pitch for Team Nicaragua in the 2026 WBC, just as he did in 2023. The announcement was first reported by Nicaraguan journalist Fernando Rayo and confirmed by Brewers minor league broadcaster Javik Blake. Rodríguez has received the green light from Milwaukee to participate, and he’ll once again be a key piece for Nicaragua as they look to make a deeper run this time around.
For Rodríguez, this tournament is more than just national pride - it’s an opportunity. After two seasons with limited major-league action (just 22 total innings pitched), Rodríguez is still searching for his breakout moment in the bigs. His MLB numbers haven’t been pretty - a 6.95 ERA in limited duty - but there’s more to the story than those surface stats.
In the minors, Rodríguez has shown the kind of consistency and upside that keeps him firmly on the Brewers’ radar. He earned the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year award in both 2022 and 2023, and despite a midseason forearm scare last year - often a red flag for elbow trouble - he still managed to post a solid 3.82 ERA over 15 starts at Triple-A.
This winter, Rodríguez has looked sharp in the Dominican Winter League, putting up a 3.18 ERA across four starts for Toros del Este. That’s the kind of form he’ll want to carry into the WBC, especially with a spot on Milwaukee’s 2026 roster potentially up for grabs.
Back in 2023, Rodríguez made just one WBC start, but he made it count. Facing a tough Team Cuba lineup, he went four innings, allowed just one earned run on two hits, and struck out three. Nicaragua couldn’t keep pace after he exited and ultimately fell 9-1, but Rodríguez’s performance stood out as a bright spot.
This time around, he’ll get another crack at the world’s best, starting with a marquee matchup against the Dominican Republic on Friday, March 6. Nicaragua will play four straight days, and all of their games will be held at loanDepot Park in Miami.
For Rodríguez, the WBC is more than a showcase - it’s a proving ground. With the Brewers' rotation crowded and competitive, every chance to stand out matters. And if he can deliver on the international stage, it might just be the springboard he needs to finally carve out a role in Milwaukee’s pitching plans.
One thing’s for sure: Brewers fans will have plenty to watch - and cheer for - long before Opening Day arrives.