Dodgers News: Teoscar Hernández Hopeful to Participate in 2026 WBC

LOS ANGELES, CA—After winning the 2025 World Series at the beginning of the month, it’s hard to believe that the 2026 World Baseball Classic is less than one hundred days away; however, that is a reality for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are expected to have a decent turnout in representation during the international tournament.

So far, the Dodgers have only one confirmed participant: two-way superstar and four-time MVP Award winner Shohei Ohtani, who announced last week that he would suit up again for Team Japan in their quest for back-to-back championships.

While it’s not confirmed yet, joining Ohtani could likely be fellow Japanese teammates Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, who each were a part of Team Japan during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

As for Team USA, both Mookie Betts and Will Smith, who were a part of the team during 2023, could also rejoin this time around, but that remains to be seen after the Dodgers had back-to-back deep runs in October.

The same can be said for veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman, who has been a participant in the dance, playing for Team Canada in honor of his parents.

We can also include popular outfielder Teoscar Hernández, as he mentioned on Mookie Betts’ podcast a few months ago that he hopes to participate in the WBC and contribute to the Dominican Republic’s victory. 

“Yeah, for sure. Representing your country is the best thing you can do as an athlete. … That’s the ultimate step. I won in the Winter League in the Dominican, I won in the Minor Leagues, I won in the World Series. So now I want to win in the WBC.”

Things did not go well for the Dominican Republic during the 2023 WBC, which saw them go 2-2 in pool play and fail to advance to the quarterfinals.

The Dominican Republic faced a disappointing result, despite winning the WBC in 2013 with a star-filled team that featured Robinson Canó, Nelson Cruz, Edwin Encarnación, José Reyes, and Hanley Ramírez, among others.

Team Dominican Republic aims for improved results next year in Pool D, competing against Venezuela, the Netherlands, Israel, and Nicaragua.

Hernández represented the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, going hitless in five at-bats but drawing two walks. He hopes for another opportunity this spring.

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