If Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts gets his wish, he'll be wearing another uniform next spring.
No, Dodgers fans, don't panic just yet. Betts is in no rush to leave Southern California, at least to our knowledge.
Instead, Betts made it clear Monday that he "absolutely" wants to play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The eight-time All-Star hit .313 with an RBI and seven runs scored during the 2023 tournament.
"I think any player would want to do it," Betts said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
As of Tuesday morning, Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is the only confirmed Team USA player. Judge replaces Los Angeles Angels great Mike Trout as Team USA's captain.
Trout said earlier this spring that he wants to play in the 2026 WBC if given the opportunity.
It's somewhat surprising to hear Betts publicly announce his desire to play in next year's WBC. Given the Dodgers' win-or-bust expectations, one might think Betts-who turns 33 in October-would prefer to avoid injury and focus on ramping up for the 2026 season.
Obviously, players can get hurt in spring training. New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery last month, will certainly attest to that reality.
However, every player on a contending team-not to mention those running the team itself-should think back to New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz's season-ending right knee injury at the 2023 event. The Mets had an overall staff ERA of 4.30 without Díaz, a far cry from their 3.57 ERA with him a year earlier.
(In fairness, the 2023 Mets didn't have Jacob deGrom … but he had an uncharacteristic 3.08 ERA in 64.1 innings a year before.)
Either way, Betts has plenty of time to decide his 2026 plans. For now, though, it sounds like we should plan on seeing him man shortstop in the next WBC.
