The World Baseball Classic returns in 2026, giving players across MLB the opportunity to represent their country for the first time in three years.
Many players view it as an honor to play for their country, and they take time away from Spring Training to do so. Several members of the Los Angeles Dodgers have participated in the past, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Will Smith, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández.
However, the WBC also presents challenges as players need to prepare to play sooner than what Spring Training typically allows. Also, participation in the international tournament also adds more stress on their body as they prepare for an already-long season.
For the Dodgers, it may be even more difficult after deep playoff runs in consecutive seasons, along with two international series that both shortened their offseason breaks.
Hernández has taken that into consideration, and decided to skip out on joining Team Dominican Republic in the WBC to give his body extra rest and focus on the season, he told Moises Fabian during an interview.
Hernández previously expressed his desire to play in the 2026 WBC for the Dominican Republic and wished to help lead them to a championship.
During the previous WBC, Team Dominican Republic went 2-2 in pool play and failed to advance to the quarterfinals. Hernández was on that team, going hitless in five at-bats with two walks.
The Dominican Republic did win the WBC in 2013 with a roster that included Robinson Canó, Nelson Cruz, Edwin Encarnación, José Reyes and Hanley Ramírez.
Dodgers trying to trade Teoscar Hernández?
While the Dodgers search for ways to improve their outfield, they have also reportedly been shopping Hernández to other teams, and have even held trade discussions, with the Kansas City Royals among those interested.
Hernández is coming off a down season that entailed regression at the plate, struggles defensively and time spent on the injured list, and he’s owed roughly $46 million over the next two seasons.
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