The Los Angeles Dodgers are sending several of their players to the 2026 World Baseball Classic, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Will Smith.
Joining them from the active roster are Edwin Díaz and Hyeseong Kim. In total, the Dodgers are sending six active players and three prospects, along with the recently retired Clayton Kershaw, giving them 10 players in total representing them.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that everyone who is participating will be ready to go by the time the WBC starts on March 5.
“Yeah, they’re ramping up. They’ll be ready,” he said. “I’m at a loss which guys exactly are going to the Classic. I know Hyeseong is doing stuff, Yamamoto has already thrown a live, and Shohei is taking some at-bats, and he’ll be ready. So they’re on their way.”
As for how much playing time each person will receive, that decision will be up to the managers of their respective national teams.
Ohtani was among the early arrivals to Camelback Ranch in preparation for the WBC, but he will only be serving as the designated hitter for Team Japan in the tournament. It has been reported that the right-hander will not be taking the mound because he was unable to secure an insurance policy.
MLB players require insurance to participate in the WBC, unless their team waives the requirement.
The WBC insurance requirement has been an intense topic of discussion around the league, with many high-profile names being denied coverage. Team Puerto Rico has been hit the hardest, as Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor were not able to participate due to this policy.
Miguel Rojas was deemed uninsurable because of his age and has expressed his disappointment with the WBC’s policy.
Dodgers Spring Training exhibition game against Team Mexico
Those not participating in the tournament will still be briefly involved, as the Dodgers play an exhibition game against Team Mexico on March 4 at Camelback Ranch.
There are no Dodgers players on the Mexican national team for this tournament.
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