Is Jose Ramirez playing in the WBC? Why Guardians’ star made Dominican Republic decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Jose Ramirez is one of the best players in baseball.

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The Cleveland Guardians‘ superstar is also one of many great players to come out of the Dominican Republic. The D.R. has one of the best teams in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Ramirez, though, isn’t a part of it.

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Is Jose Ramirez playing in the WBC?

No, Jose Ramirez is not playing in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, at least for now.

That could change later in the tournament.

The key is that the D.R. determined before the tournament that Ramirez won’t be a part of pool play.

“Nelson Cruz announced that José Ramírez will miss at least the first round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, though he could potentially join the team in the second round,” wrote insider Francys Romero on X before the tournament.

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Ramirez signed a recent contract extension with the Cleveland Guardians, but no specific reason was given for his early WBC absence.

The D.R. will be favored to make it out of its pool and into the knockout rounds.

If Ramirez joins for that stage, it’ll make a potent lineup even stronger.

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