Mookie Betts will not play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, choosing to remain with his family as he and his wife, Brianna, expect their third child during the tournament window. The Los Angeles Dodgers star explained that the baby’s due date falls in the middle of the WBC schedule and that being present for the birth takes priority over joining the United States roster.
Betts revealed his decision during a recent livestream appearance, sharing that his wife jokingly warned she would “divorce” him if he missed the birth to play in the tournament. The lighthearted remark underscored a serious choice, as Betts framed the situation as an easy call once the timing became clear. The announcement comes as sportsbooks and prediction markets continue to focus on WBC futures, with fans tracking odds alongside news from outlets and platforms such as OnlySpins Casino.
Family Priority Shapes Betts’ Decision
Betts has long presented himself as a family-first player, and this decision fits that profile as he enters his age-33 season and a new stage of his personal life. He and Brianna already have two children, and the couple’s third is expected in March, when Team USA opens play as part of Pool B in Houston, before potentially advancing to later rounds in Miami.
The veteran infielder and outfielder said the combination of travel, intense competition, and the uncertainty of exact dates made it unrealistic to commit to the WBC. Even if Team USA agreed to some flexibility, Betts noted that he did not want to put himself or the coaching staff in a position where he might have to leave the tournament mid-way. For him, the responsibility to be home outweighed the appeal of another run at international hardware.
Impact On the Dodgers’ Spring And Season
From the Dodgers’ standpoint, Betts’ absence from the WBC removes a layer of risk and travel stress ahead of the 2026 regular season. Instead of bouncing between international sites during March, Betts will remain in the team’s Spring Training environment, which should allow for a more controlled workload leading into Opening Day.
Los Angeles has seen several key players participate in previous WBC tournaments, and the organization has generally supported these opportunities while still monitoring their health and recovery. In this case, the club benefits from having one of its franchise pillars remain stateside, avoiding the added innings, high-intensity situations, and potential injuries that can come with a short, high-leverage international event.
Betts’ Role With Team USA And What They Lose
Betts previously represented Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, playing a key role at the top of the lineup and shifting defensively as needed for the star-studded roster. His ability to hit for average, work counts, and provide power, combined with his experience on championship-caliber teams, gave USA Baseball a reliable presence in both the clubhouse and on the field.
Without Betts, the United States still projects to field an elite lineup built around names like Aaron Judge and other high-profile stars expected to commit before final rosters are set. However, the loss of a versatile defender who can handle second base and the outfield, while also hitting near the top of the order, slightly narrows the margin for error in a tournament where one game can swing an entire run.
WBC Futures: USA, Japan Lead Betting Markets
Bookmakers continue to view the United States as either the favorite or co-favorite to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic, even with Betts unavailable. Several major sportsbooks list Team USA and defending champion Japan in a tight band at the top of the futures board, often within a few ticks of each other in the low plus-money range. Some outlets post the United States around the +160 to +225 range, with Japan typically between +225 and +300.
Behind the two powers, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, and South Korea form the next group of contenders. Numbers across books vary, but many slot the Dominican Republic in the +400 to +500 range, Puerto Rico between roughly +600 and +1000, and Venezuela and Mexico in that +1400 to +2000 area. The Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, and others sit further down the board as long shots; they carry enough talent to threaten in a short tournament but do not match the top-tier depth on paper.
These odds reflect both historical performance and current MLB talent distribution, with the United States and Japan benefiting from deep pitching pools and star-laden lineups. They will likely see futures odds adjust again as more players formally commit, injuries occur, and rosters take final shape closer to March 2026.
What Betts’ Absence Means For Team USA Roster Construction
For Team USA, Betts’ withdrawal creates an opening for another impact player to step into an everyday role in the outfield or infield, depending on how the coaching staff and front office choose to balance the roster. USA Baseball can pivot to a more traditional outfield alignment or look for another versatile player capable of moving between multiple positions and spots in the batting order.
The broader pool of eligible American talent remains strong. Even without Betts, the projected roster still figures to feature a mix of MVP candidates, frontline arms, and established All-Stars. The challenge for the coaching staff will be blending those pieces into a cohesive group that can handle the unique pressure of a condensed tournament with elimination games, late-night travel, and unfamiliar opponents.
From Betts’ perspective, sitting out the WBC should not change his standing with USA Baseball for future events or exhibitions. His past contributions and status in the game make him an obvious candidate to return if the timing fits around any future international competitions.
2026 World Baseball Classic Overview
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will mark the sixth edition of the tournament and will again bring together many of the sport’s biggest stars under their national flags. Games are scheduled for March, with pool play, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship game all taking place before the start of the MLB regular season.
Tournament organizers have already announced a four-venue setup. LoanDepot Park in Miami will once again serve as the centerpiece, hosting games in every round, including the title game. Minute Maid Park in Houston will host Pool B, where Team USA is slated to begin its campaign. The Tokyo Dome in Japan and Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will round out the main sites, keeping the event spread across North America and Asia.
The field is set to include traditional powers such as the United States, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, alongside rising powers like Mexico, South Korea, and the Netherlands. Additional countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Chinese Taipei, and Nicaragua, bolster a competitive lineup of teams that earned spots through qualifiers and past performance. With betting markets already active and rosters slowly coming into focus, the 2026 World Baseball Classic is positioned to deliver another high-intensity showcase of global baseball, even as one of the sport’s brightest stars stays home for an essential moment in his family life.
