Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton, Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners reliever Gabe Speier and Tampa Bay Rays’ Griffin Jax were the latest players named to the Team USA roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Each of the aforementioned players is going to be participating in the event for the first time. They join a star-studded group that already includes New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge, Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh and Philadelphia Phillies MVP Bryce Harper.
Buxton appeared in 126 games for the Twins last season, hitting .264/.327/.551 with 21 doubles, seven triples, 35 home runs, 83 RBI and 24 stolen bases.
Clement posted a .717 on-base plus slugging in 157 games for the Blue Jays, but made his biggest contributions during the team’s World Series run. He batted .411 and set a new MLB postseason record with 30 hits.
Byron Buxton 🤝 Team USA
The @Twins outfielder is joining the squad for the World Baseball Classic! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Ut6FXE0TeO
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) January 12, 2026
Ernie Clement is IN for the World Baseball Classic 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/rax7XDUVfu
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) January 13, 2026
Bolstering the bullpen 💪
Gabe Speier will pitch for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/eO8Be6YVXB
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) January 14, 2026
The 🇺🇸 runs deep for Griffin Jax.
The first Air Force Academy graduate in MLB history will represent the United States at the World Baseball Classic in March! pic.twitter.com/EVvwWLOIQQ
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) January 14, 2026
Speier was 4-3 with a 2.61 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 76 games with the Mariners.
Jax went a combined 1-7 with a 4.23 ERA across 73 appearances last year, spending time with the Twins and Rays.
With the additions of Buxton, Clement, Speier and Jax, the Team USA roster now stands at 28 players. That leaves only two more available spots, which should be filled in the coming weeks.
The United States will play in Pool B for the 2026 WBC, which is scheduled for March 5-17, 2026. Team USA is looking to bounce back after losing to Japan in the 2023 championship game.
Team USA will again be led by manager Mark DeRosa. Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel is part of his coaching staff and set to occupy the same role.
Team USA roster for 2026 World Baseball Classic
Hitters: Alex Bregman, Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Ernie Clement, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson, Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, Will Smith, Brice Turang, Bobby Witt Jr.
Pitchers: David Bednar, Matthew Boyd, Garrett Cleavinger, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Brad Keller, Clayton Kershaw, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Gabe Speier, Logan Webb, Garrett Whitlock
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