Seattle Mariners spring training will be a bit different than usual in 2026 with the return of the World Baseball Classic.

How Mariners will approach adding their young talent to contending team

The WBC will feature 20 teams split up between four five-team pools that will begin play on March 5. The host sites for pool play will be Hiram Bithorn Stadium at San Juan, Puerto Rico (Pool A), Houston’s Daikin Park (Pool B), the Tokyo Dome (Pool C), and Miami’s loanDepot Park (Pool D).

The Mariners should be well represented in the WBC, though to this point only one player’s involvement has been confirmed.

Here’s a look at the Mariners players who could be in action during the World Baseball Classic in the spring.

USA (Pool B – Houston)

• Catcher Cal Raleigh (confirmed); starting pitchers Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller

Just before Raleigh took the All-Star break by storm by winning the Home Run Derby in Atlanta, he revealed that he would be joining returning USA manager Mark DeRosa’s team.

“USA across your chest, it’s like a dream… what a special chance.”@Mariners star Cal Raleigh discusses being invited by @USABaseball to play in the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic.

📺 All-Star Media Day on MLB Network https://t.co/EXryt7RnUZ pic.twitter.com/mckxmi5UW3

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 14, 2025

The question now is whether he will catch any of his current Mariners teammates. Gilbert, Kirby and Woo are all one-time All-Stars, and Miller has pitched at an All-Star-caliber level at times, so any of the four would be excellent choices for the USA pitching staff. But they each dealt with at least one injury in 2025, so jumping into the hyper-competitive WBC rather than going through a full spring training could be risky.

The Mariners know the risks all too well considering Drew Smyly, who they traded for ahead of the 2017 season, never played for Seattle as he underwent Tommy John surgery after pitching for the US team in the WBC.

The USA team has confirmed six players on its roster thus far, including Seattle native Corbin Carroll, an All-Star outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dominican Republic (Pool D – Miami)

• Outfielders Julio Rodríguez and Victor Robles; starting pitcher Luis Castillo; infielder Jorge Polanco (free agent)

Rodríguez seems like a lock to represent the DR after he played for the team in 2023, going 5 for 18 (.278) with a double in four games.

.@JRODshow44 extends the lead for 🇩🇴#SeaUsRise | #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/pMOPJ01iSG

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 13, 2023

Castillo sat out that WBC after signing a big contract with the Mariners the previous year, but at 32 years old, this may be his last chance to pitch for his home country.

Canada (Pool A – Puerto Rico)

• First baseman Josh Naylor; relief pitcher Matt Brash

Naylor played for Canada in the 2017 WBC as a minor leaguer but sat out the 2023 tournament, opting not to risk re-injuring an ankle that had been surgically repaired the year before.

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He may feel more comfortable playing in the WBC now after signing a five-year contract with the Mariners. Plus, he may have the opportunity to play alongside his brothers, Guardians catcher Bo Naylor and Athletics infield prospect Myles Naylor, and cousin, Athletics outfielder Denzel Clarke.

Brash was a bright spot for a beleaguered Canada pitching staff in 2023, striking out all three batters he faced in a single inning of work.

Matt Brash remains filthy 🇨🇦#SeaUsRise | #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/pukZw5sBEZ

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 12, 2023

Mexico (Pool B – Houston)

• Outfielder Randy Arozarena; relief pitcher Andrés Muñoz

Part of Arozarena’s reputation as a big game player comes from his heroics in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, when he hit 9 for 20 (.450) with a home run, six doubles and nine RBIs in six games, and made a memorable home run-robbing catch in a semifinal game against Japan.

Though Arozarena grew up in Cuba, his journey to MLB went through Mexico, and he became a Mexican citizen in 2021.

“I feel like I represent Mexico,” Arozarena said in 2020. “I have a daughter in Mexico, and I’d do it in honor of her and for the part of my career that I spent in Mexico, and for all the friends I’ve made in Mexico.”

Muñoz did not play for Mexico in 2023 but the two-time All-Star would be a prime candidate to close games for his home country.

Venezuela (Pool D – Miami)

• Relief pitcher Eduard Bazardo; third baseman Eugenio Suárez (free agent)

Bazardo is coming off a breakout 2025 season, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he didn’t compete in the WBC after pitching in 82 games between the regular season and playoffs.

Suárez hit .500 with a home run in four WBC games for Venezuela in 2023.

Great Britain (Pool B – Houston)

• Catcher Harry Ford

The son of British parents, “Sir Harry” has been a sensation in international play. The No. 42 overall prospect and No. 4 Mariners prospect per MLB.com, Ford had two homers and a double in four games in the 2023 WBC, which came just weeks after he turned 20. He also was a standout for Great Britain in WBC qualifying play in 2022, hitting .455 with three homers and a double in three games.

Harry Ford goes yard and gets knighted as he returns to the dugout 👑🇬🇧

📺: FS1 and the FOX Sports App pic.twitter.com/uzsASgprzc

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 12, 2023

Italy (Pool B – Houston)

• Utility player Miles Mastrobuoni; outfielder Dominic Canzone

Like many players who have played for Italy in the WBC, Mastrobuoni and Canzone are Americans with Italian heritage.

Mastrobuoni played for Italy in 2023, hitting 5 for 18 (.278) with two doubles.

Colombia (Pool A – Puerto Rico)

• Infielder Michael Arroyo (prospect)

The No. 62 overall prospect and No. 6 Mariners prospect per MLB.com, Arroyo went 3 for 10 with a double and two stolen bases for Colombia in WBC qualifying play this year. In a combined 121 games between High-A and Double-A in 2025, Arroyo slashed .262/.401/.433 for an .834 OPS with 17 homers.

Netherlands (Pool D – Miami)

• Switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (prospect)

The Mariners’ first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Cijntje was born in the Netherlands and grew up in Curaçao, which is a Caribbean island that is within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The 22 year old had a 4.58 ERA in 19 games (16 starts) with High-A Everett in 2025, and was even better in seven starts with Double-A Arkansas, posting a 2.94 ERA.

Cijntje would make a lot of sense as an inclusion for the WBC as his ability to pitch with either arm would garner plenty of attention on an international stage.

Seattle Mariners offseason coverage

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• Several Mariners prospects eligible for Rule 5 Draft
• Naylor signing shows that M’s are now a destination for players
• ESPN’s Olney details what a Skubal trade could cost the Mariners
• Seattle Mariners non-tender three players for 2026 season