Two Twins Officially Named to World Baseball Classic Rosters, One More Assumed

[Lou Hennessy]

Image courtesy of © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Their inclusion was announced weeks—even months—ago, but with the tournament around the corner, it's a good time to note that three Minnesota Twins will represent their home countries in the World Baseball Classic. Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan will don the stars and stripes for Team USA, with Pablo López potentially holding down a rotation spot for Team Venezuela. His inclusion has not been officially confirmed by Major League Baseball, but reports surfaced a few weeks ago saying he would be on the roster. 

Newly-signed catcher Victor Caratini was also planning to play for Team Puerto Rico, but he and a handful of his countrymen (including former Twin Carlos Correa) were reportedly denied insurance for these games and are thus not included on the roster.  

The tournament runs every three years, and is largely seen as the game’s highest level of international competition. While baseball has been on various Olympic games dockets, it traditionally has not included MLB stars. The WBC has attracted far more established, household names over the years, and continues to grow in popularity. For three weeks starting on March 5, 20 teams will go head-to-head, starting with pool play, then advancing to a bracket. It culminates with a championship game on March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami.

Buxton should get plenty of playing time even in a star-studded outfield for Team USA, where he’ll likely split center field duties with Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong. Buxton may have the edge as a veteran, with a longer track record when it comes to his hitting ability, but Crow-Armstrong was one of the best in the game when it came to defense in 2025. They’ll be joined on the outfield grass by Aaron Judge and Corbin Carroll. Perhaps this will be the first time we see Buxton in a corner outfield role in his professional career, should manager Mark DeRosa decide to mix and match for platoon advantages. 

Ryan is joined in the starting rotation by reigning Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, along with Logan Webb. Clayton Kershaw is also on the roster, but it’s unclear if he’ll work in a starting or a relief role in what will be the final professional appearance of his illustrious career. Regardless, Ryan is primed to get at least one start, especially if Team USA makes it out of pool play. Notably, Ryan represented Team USA in the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he earned a silver medal. 

López would be the highest-profile starter on Team Venezuela’s roster, where he’d be joined by fellow MLB veterans Germán Márquez and Eduardo Rodríguez. Of note, López dazzled in the 2023 WBC, highlighted by a 4 ⅓-inning gem against Puerto Rico wherein he only allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out six. 

A handful of old friends are also participating in this year’s games. Former Twins pitcher Griffin Jax (currently on the Tampa Bay Rays) will join Buxton and Ryan on Team USA. Slugger Carlos Santana (Arizona Diamondbacks) will yet again represent Dominican Republic, where he’ll be joined by one-time Twins spring training invitee Dennis Santana (Pittsburgh Pirates). Harrison Bader (San Francisco Giants) will play for Team Israel, and Willi Castro (Colorado Rockies) will represent Puerto Rico. 

Liam Hendriks (free agent) will play for Team Australia, as he hopes to continue his playing career, and Terrin Vavra (free agent), the former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher and son of former Twins coach Joe Vavra, will represent Team Czechia.

WBC games kick off at 9 PM CST on March 4, and can be seen on FOX, FS1, FS2 and the FOX Sports app.

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[h2oface]

I hope Buxton is insured and he doesn’t do something crazy in the outfield, especially if he is moved to an unfamiliar corner outfield spot. 

[Chembry]

Seven Twins are playing in the WBC:

Buxton, Ryan- USA

Lopez- Venezuela 

Taj Bradley- Mexico

Matt Bowman- Israel

Dan Altavilla- Italy

Luis Quinones- Puerto Rico

Caratini was going to play for Puerto Rico but didn’t get insurance clearance to play.  This also happened to Correa, Lindor, Berrios, Emilio Pagan, and Alexis Diaz

[Otaknam]

What are the odds that Buxton gets hurt playing in this event. Nothing is more predictable that, costing him a month or more of lost playing time.