Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star closer Edwin Díaz will take part in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, committing to represent Team Puerto Rico once again on the international stage.
The announcement, first reported by outlets in Puerto Rico, confirms Díaz’s return to the tournament after previously competing in both 2017 and 2023.
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Díaz’s decision comes amid ongoing frustration from several Latin American federations regarding insurance-related roster approvals tied to the WBC.
Team Puerto Rico officials have voiced concern over what they view as inconsistent standards that have affected player eligibility late in the roster submission process.
Operations manager Joey Solá publicly questioned how some high-profile players faced delays or uncertainty while others with far less professional security were flagged by insurers.
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Despite the surrounding controversy, Díaz’s participation is notable given his history with the tournament. During the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the star reliever suffered a torn right patellar tendon while celebrating a victory over the Dominican Republic, an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2023 MLB season.
That setback made his long-term health a major talking point entering future international competitions.
From a Dodgers perspective, the timing of the tournament provides some reassurance. The World Baseball Classic runs from March 5–17, allowing Díaz to return well ahead of Opening Day, regardless of how far Puerto Rico advances.
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Los Angeles will be counting on Díaz as a central piece of its bullpen after signing the right-hander to a three-year, $69 million contract this offseason.
Díaz enters his age-32 season coming off one of the strongest campaigns of his career.
In 2025, he appeared in 62 games, logging 66.1 innings with a dominant 1.63 ERA while striking out 98 batters. His performance reaffirmed his status as one of baseball’s premier late-inning arms and a major asset for a Dodgers team with championship expectations.
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Díaz is not the only Dodger set to appear in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani will anchor a loaded Team Japan roster as it looks to defend its title, while Will Smith is slated to catch for Team USA.
Clayton Kershaw also headlines Team USA after announcing a surprise return to competitive play following his retirement. Additionally, Hyeseong Kim is expected to represent Team Korea.
More Dodgers could still join the field, with official WBC rosters scheduled to be finalized later this week, further highlighting Los Angeles’ global footprint heading into the 2026 season.
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