Cubs’ pitcher Javier Assad is returning to Team Mexico for the World Baseball Classic.

On Thursday it was announced by Team Mexico that Chicago Cubs pitcher Javier Assad will pitch for their team in this year’s World Baseball Classic.

Assad is no stranger to the World Baseball Classic. In 2023, the righty pitched for Team Mexico and held his own. In two relief outings, he gave up zero runs, added six strikeouts, walked one, and gave up just two hits in 5.2 innings pitched.

Coming off a season in which Assad dealt with the injury bug early and often in 2025, the Mexico native is looking to start the 2026 year off strong by representing his home country once again.

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Assad joins a long list of current Cubs playing in this year’s WBC including Alex Bregman, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Daniel Palencia, Miguel Amaya, and Seiya Suzuki.  

In eight appearances last year, Assad made seven starts while posting a 3.65 ERA. He also had 23 strikeouts, 12 walks, a 1.216 WHIP, and held opponent hitters to a .243 batting average in 37 innings pitched.

Team Mexico will compete in Pool B of the World Baseball Classic, with games scheduled from March 6 to March 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. The other teams from Pool B include the United States, Italy, Great Britain, and a TBD qualifier.