Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel was named to the Team USA coaching staff for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, marking a second consecutive iteration of the international tournament that he’s filling such a role.
The United States team is again being led by manager Mark DeRosa, who was at the helm in 2023 as well. Michael Young (assistant manager), Brian McCann (assistant manager) and Andy Pettitte (pitching coach) are joining Ebel and DeRosa in returning from the Team USA staff for the 2023 WBC as well.
Newcomers for 2026 are bench coach Skip Schumaker, hitting coach Matt Holliday, first base coach George Lombard, bullpen coach David Ross and assistant manager Fredi González.
“I’d like to welcome David Ross, Skip Schumaker, Matt Holliday, George Lombard, Fredi González, and returning coaches Michael Young, Brian McCann, Andy Pettitte, and Dino Ebel to the team,” Team USA general manager Michael Hill said in a statement.
“Together, the baseball knowledge and experience of this group of men is unmatched and I’m looking forward to working with each of them to bring a WBC championship back to the USA.”
Team USA is looking to win their second World Baseball Classic title in the sixth installment of the event. The U.S. won the championship in the 2017 WBC and claimed a silver medal in 2023.
Dino Ebel looking forward to Team USA return
Ebel thoroughly enjoyed his WBC experience in 2023 and was eager to accept another invitation to be on the Team USA staff.
“When Andrew Friedman brought me in and asked if I would be interested in doing it again, it was an automatic yes,” Ebel told DodgerBlue.com. “It’s an honor to represent our country in the WBC. Japan beat us the last time, so the ultimate goal is to bring the gold home. I’m excited.”
Like several players who participated in the tournament, Ebel quickly realized the magnitude and passion of the games.
“The atmosphere is like a World Series. I experienced the World Series in ’20, when it was the COVID year, but going through what we did last year when the stands were loaded all the way through the playoffs with sellout crowds, that’s a playoff atmosphere,” he said.
“I get it, it’s the World Series. But the WBC, if I never experienced what I went through last year in the 2024 World Series, by far that is the loudest and most energetic crowds. No matter what team you’re playing, it’s jam packed, the music is pumping. It’s electrifying. What you saw on TV, it is absolutely true in person.”
2026 WBC: Team USA pool
The U.S. team is part of Pool B for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, where they are joined by Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. Pool B games will be played at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, from March 6-11.
The top two nations will advance to the quarterfinal round in Houston against the top two finishers from Pool A.
The sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic, which runs from March 5-17, will take place at Daikin Park; Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan; and loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
The semifinal round (March 15 and 16) and WBC championship game (March 17) is again being held in Miami.
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