The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to begin on March 4, 2026. The excitement has been building and the tournament looks to be even better than the 2023 version when Team USA fell to Japan in the championship. The rosters are taking shape, being flooded with exceptional MLB talent, but Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran has opted out of playing for Team Dominican Republic.
His reason? He's aiming to get in shape for the 2026 regular season, per La UCA Deportes.
“Sources close to EL Novato Sports confirmed to us that the Dominican closer for the Phillies Jhoan Duran will take some time to get in shape, which will prevent him from participating for RD in the 2026 World Baseball Classic,” La UCA Deportes reported (via translation) on X.