SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners will likely be one of the most well-represented major league clubs at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The Mariners will have players representing the organization in several countries, including, but not limited to: Team USA, Mexico, Canada, the Dominican Republic and Colombia.

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While the classic is an excellent event for the sport, more and more players have been denied participation because of insurance purposes, as reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drelich.

Because of injury history, players such as Jose Altuve and Francisco Lindor won’t compete in the international tournament.

Another player that won’t compete in the 2026 WBC is top 100 Seattle prospect (per MLB Pipeline) and switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje.

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Unlike Altuve and Lindor, it seems like the option to not compete was Cijntje’s.

Cijntje received an invitation to compete for the Netherlands but opted to instead put some extra time in at the team’s spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz., in preparation of 2026.

“Going into this year, I was down to go (to the WBC),” Cijntje said. “I got the invite and was like, I’ll think about it with my family and my agent and all that. And I think it was the best for me to stick (with big league camp). And I think that’s something that probably will help me.”

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Cijntje (No. 91 MLB Pipeline top 100) was the Mariners’ first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State. He instantly due attention to being ambidextrous.

Cijntje’s first pro year in 2025 was a learning experience for him and the organization. Seattle hadn’t developed a switch-pitcher before and tried several avenues, including relief outings while pitching left-handed in between right-handed starts.

Ultimately, the organization cut out the relief outings entirely. Cijntje ended up being promoted to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers on Aug. 4 from the High-A Everett AquaSox. He posted a 3.99 ERA with 120 strikeouts in 108.1 innings pitched across 26 outings (23 starts).

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The decision not to compete in the WBC could be a fortuitous one for the former Bulldog.

Cijntje is currently projected to make his major league debut in 2027. But the Mariners received a hit to their starting pitching depth with the news that right-hander Logan Evans would be out all of 2026 due to elbow surgery.

Former No. 6 starter Emerson Hancock is also a question mark. He was used as a starter and reliever last season and it’s still up in the air how the M’s will use him this upcoming season.

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Cijntje was a non-roster invitee to spring training. He was listed as a right-handed pitcher on Seattle’s non-roster invitee list but said he’s still currently progressing as an ambidextrous hurler.

If puts together a solid spring training, performs well in the minors to begin the season and develops strongly, either from the right side or in his two-armed approach, there’s a chance he could find his way to the major leagues if Seattle finds itself in need of a starting pitcher.

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