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.
Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong and Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll are two other recent additions to the Team USA roster. United States baseball manager Mark DeRosa made the announcement during the 2025 MLB Awards Show in Las Vegas on Nov. 13.
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.
And now, the team has its first high-end reliever with the addition of Whitlock.
Team USA roster needs for 2026 WBC
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.
Shohei Ohtani currently is the only member of the Los Angeles Dodgers who is committed to participate in the WBC, as he’s going to look to lead Team Japan to a repeat title.
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