Team USA's Roster Takes Shape for 2026 World Baseball Classic

As Team USA prepares for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the roster is seeing a mix of exciting new talents and some notable absences. Despite a recent surge of player commitments, the pitching staff remains light on talent, particularly after New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried turned down an offer to join the squad.

Manager Mark DeRosa made the announcement on Tuesday, confirming that Fried opted not to participate in the tournament. This news raises concerns for the team's pitching lineup, which is already thin. Currently, the only pitcher officially on the roster is Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who was named the 2025 NL Cy Young winner and announced his participation back in May. Skenes is expected to anchor the rotation, but his presence alone may not be sufficient.

On a positive note, Team USA secured commitments from several star position players, including Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson, Will Smith, and Brice Turang. These additions join a talented lineup that already features Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Corbin Carroll, and Bobby Witt Jr. However, the pitching situation is markedly different from the depth found among the position players.

The challenges in assembling a strong pitching staff are not surprising. The volatility of pitching roles in Major League Baseball often leads players to prefer staying with their MLB teams during spring training. For instance, during the 2023 Classic, the rotation primarily relied on relievers, making it evident that filling out a pitching roster can be more complex than rounding up position players.

Fried, who recently signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees, has been a standout performer, finishing fourth in AL Cy Young voting in 2025 with an impressive 2.86 ERA and 189 strikeouts over 195.1 innings. His absence will undoubtedly leave a gap in the U.S. rotation, which could have placed them in a formidable position against other teams.

Even without Fried, the U.S. is expected to field a competitive team, with the possibility of including notable relievers, reminiscent of their 2023 setup. Devin Williams and Ryan Pressly made significant contributions in their respective roles, and similar expectations are likely for upcoming relievers as Team USA gears up for the tournament.