"Team USA has its first bullpen arm for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, with Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock announcing his commitment. Whitlock is the seventh confirmed player for the U.S. roster but just the second pitcher overall. Pittsburg Pirates' Paul Skenes is the only starting pitcher on the Team USA roster at the moment. Whitlock made the announcement on Instagram alongside his agency, Stadium Ventures."
"Whitlock enjoyed an excellent 2025 season for the Red Sox, throwing a career-high 72 innings with a 2.25 ERA. This will be his first appearance in the WBC. He additionally is the first Red Sox player to be part of Team USA in the WBC since Shane Victorino in 2013. The U.S. roster is beginning to take shape, with Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr. and Skenes securing starting spots in the outfield, at catcher, shortstop and as the No. 1 starter, respectively."
"There remain 23 open spots for Team USA to fill before final rosters are submitted on Feb. 3, 2026. WBC rules dictate that rosters must include at least 14 pitchers and two catchers. Will Smith has expressed interest in playing in the upcoming WBC. He was a member of the Team USA roster that lost to Team Japan in the championship game of the previous international tournament in 2023."
Garrett Whitlock committed to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, becoming the roster's first bullpen arm and seventh confirmed player. Whitlock announced the commitment on Instagram alongside his agency, Stadium Ventures. Whitlock posted a strong 2025 season for the Boston Red Sox, throwing a career-high 72 innings with a 2.25 ERA, and this will be his first WBC appearance. Paul Skenes is the only confirmed starting pitcher. Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., and Skenes occupy starting outfield, catcher, shortstop and No. 1 starter roles. Twenty-three roster spots remain and rosters must include at least 14 pitchers and two catchers. Will Smith has expressed interest; Shohei Ohtani is committed to Team Japan.
Read at Dodger Blue
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]