Aug 3, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez and first baseman Bryce Harper smile during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park. (Grace Del Pizzo/On Pattison)
OnPattison is keeping a running tracker of what Phillies will or won't be competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which will run from March 5-17.
Bryce Harper: The two-time NL MVP announced on Instagram on Dec. 23 that he's planning to play for the United States. Harper had planned to play in the 2023 WBC, but wasn't able to do so because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Kyle Schwarber: Last year's NL MVP runner-up is returning to Team USA after donning the stars and stripes in 2023. Schwarber homered two times and drew five walks in five games in 2023 when Team USA ultimately finished runner-up to Team Japan.
Brad Keller: Before Keller begins a two-year/$22 million deal with the Phillies, he's going to pitch for Team USA. He'll be part of a bullpen also set to include Mason Miller and Griffin Jax.
Aaron Nola: Rob Thomson announced during January's Philadelphia Sports Writers Association dinner that Nola will pitch for the Italian team. The 32-year-old righty is looking to rebound from the worst season of his career, as he posted a 6.01 ERA over 17 starts in 2025.
Taijuan Walker: Ahead of the final season of a four-year/$72 deal with the Phillies, Walker will return to pitch in the WBC for the second time. Walker struck out eight and allowed just one hit across four innings during the 2023 edition of the tournament.
Alan Rangel: The 28-year-old righty — who appeared in five games for the Phillies a year ago — will also be on Mexico's pitching staff.
Cristopher Sánchez: Last season's NL Cy Young Award runner-up will be toeing the rubber for the DR, joining a pitching staff that will also include Sandy Alcantara, Freddy Peralta and Luis Severino.
Johan Rojas: Rojas will serve as a bench piece for the DR, with a loaded outfield set to include Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Julio Rodríguez.
Garrett Stubbs: As he perhaps auditions for the other 29 teams, Stubbs will play for Team Israel for the second consecutive WBC. Stubbs went 2-for-5 with two RBIs in 2023. His former Phillies teammate Harrison Bader will also be representing Israel.
Edmundo Sosa: Prior to what will be his contract year, Sosa is going to represent his native Panama in the WBC.
Jesús Luzardo: Despite apparent interest from both USA and Venezuela, Luzardo decided to pass on pitching in the WBC ahead of his contract year. Even though he was born in Peru and has lived most of his life in America, Luzardo said he hopes to represent Venezuela — where much of his family is from — in the next WBC.
Jhoan Duran: According to Wilber Sánchez, Duran said (via translation) in late December that he wouldn't pitch for the Dominican Republic in the WBC: “Last season I exceeded my innings and I need to take care of my arm. I don’t have a contract that guarantees my future.”
