Red Sox reliever commits to play for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
After a couple of injury-plagued seasons, Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock re-established himself as one of the sport’s premier relievers last year, helping give Boston one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Now Whitlock will have a chance to represent his country at the highest level.
Whitlock announced via social media on Saturday that he has committed to play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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The 29-year-old is among a handful of notable players who are confirmed for the USA roster, a group that also includes New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
Whitlock recently wrapped up a remarkable comeback season in which he posted a 2.25 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 72 innings as Boston’s primary eighth inning set-up man. He did so after missing nearly all of 2024 due to an elbow injury that required season-ending surgery, along with numerous injuries that disrupted his 2022 and 2023 seasons as well.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will run from March 5-17 and Team USA is scheduled to play Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico and Italy during pool play at Daikin Park in Houston. The American team will also play a pair of exhibitions against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies, and ultimately the club hopes to capture its second WBC title following its victory in 2017 and its runner-up finish to Japan last time out in 2023.
