2026 World Baseball Classic News: Team USA Replaces Skubal, Wacha, Yarbrough

We all remember the epic championship game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic when Shohei Ohtani struck out Team USA slugger Mike Trout to give Team Japan its third title in five editions of the tournament.
Now, we’re gearing up for the 2026 WBC, which will see Ohtani and Japan try to defend their title in the 20-team competition that includes a stacked USA squad seeking redemption. Among the players committed to Team USA include Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
We are counting down until the opening pitch of the tournament and bringing you the latest news and updates as rosters get announced.
When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
The 2026 WBC will be held from March 5–17. Twenty teams have been placed into four pools with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals. Games in Pool A will be played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Games in Pool B will be played at Daikin Park, home of the Astros. Games in Pool C will be played at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Games in Pool D will be played at LoanDepot Park, home of the Marlins.
Pool Play: March 5-11
Quarterfinals: March 13–14 (Daikin Park, Houston; LoanDepot Park, Miami)
Semifinals: March 15 (LoanDepot Park, Miami)
Final: March 17 (LoanDepot Park, Miami)
March 12
Team USA roster changes
With Skubal, Royals right-hander Michael Wacha and Yankees left-hander Ryan Yarbrough returning to their respective team’s spring training sites, Team USA has added Tigers right-hander Will Vest, Blue Jays right-hander Tyler Rogers and Yankees left-hander Tim Hill to its roster.
The United States will play Canada in the quarterfinal round of the tournament on Mar. 14.
March 5
Jeremy Peña’s status unclear amid finger injury
The Astros sent their All-Star shortstop to see a hand specialist on Thursday for further examination of an injury to his right ring finger that has made his immediate availability for the WBC unclear. Manager Joe Espada told reporters at the team’s spring training complex that Peña, 28, had some damage to the nail area on the finger after fielding a hard groundball for the Dominican Republic national team during an exhibition game on Wednesday. Peña was pulled after that. The D.R. plays its first game of the WBC on Friday in Miami against Nicaragua. Peña is coming off a career-best season in 2025, when he made his first All-Star team and batted .304 with an .840 OPS and 20 stolen bases.
Feb. 23
Tarik Skubal to make one start for Team USA
Skubal will make one start at the WBC before returning to the Tigers for training camp, according to The Athletic.