Dec. 23 (UPI) — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will make his World Baseball Classic debut for Team USA this spring, he announced Tuesday on Instagram.
The two-time MVP will join a lineup that includes fellow sluggers Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber and Cal Raleigh among others.
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“Put the colors on my chest for the first time when I was 15,” Harper wrote on the social media platform. “No other feeling like it. I’m excited to announce I will be representing Team USA this year in the WBC. Merica!”
Harper announced plans in 2022 to compete in the 2023 edition of the tournament, but was unable to play because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Phillies first baseman hit .261 with 27 home runs and 75 RBIs over 132 appearances in 2025. He hit .285 with 30 homers and 87 RBIs over 145 appearances in 2024.
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Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will make his World Baseball Classic debut this spring. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
The former Washington Nationals star won his second National League MVP award during his third season with the Phillies, when he hit .309 with 35 homers and 84 RBIs over 141 games.
Harper owns a career .280 average with 363 home runs over 14 MLB seasons.
Bryce Harper (R) will join Philadelphia Phillies teammate Kyle Schwarber on Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. File Photo by John McCoy/UPI
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be held from March 5 to 17 in Miami, Houston, Tokyo and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Team USA will take on the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies in two respective exhibition games March 3 and 4 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Harper and the Americans will battle Brazil in their World Baseball Classic opener March 6 in Houston.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper committed to play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but was unable to play due to injury. File Photo by Laurence Kesterson/UPI