Team USA will be led by captain Aaron Judge as he has left New York Yankees Spring Training camp to join the 2026 World Baseball Classic camp. Moreover, Joe Ryan has been replaced on the Team USA roster for the WBC.
Let’s learn more about these updates.
Aaron Judge Vows to “Change the Script”
Aaron Judge wasn’t part of Team USA’s roster in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to win the tournament. After Saturday’s 5-1 Grapefruit League win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Judge made his goal clear.
“Now it’s time for us to go out there and change that script,” Judge said. “They say it’s like a playoff atmosphere from the very beginning, but guys also said it helped them get ready for the season a lot quicker, too. It’s heated competition. You’re fighting for your country.”
Judge is the captain of the side who will travel west to play two exhibition games against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies in Scottsdale, Arizona. Judge has two Yankees teammates joining him on the roster, including David Bednar and Paul Goldschmidt.
Meanwhile, other Yankees stars will be representing other national teams in the competition. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Brendan Beck will play for Great Britain. Meanwhile, Austin Wells, Camilo Doval and Amed Rosario will take the field for the Dominican Republic.
Ryan Yarbrough Joins Team USA Replacing Joe Ryan
Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan is struggling from back issue, prompting a replacement move as left-hander Ryan Yarbrough steps in. Ryan has been moved to the Designated Pitcher Pool so that he can rejoin the roster during the tournament after he recovers from his back tightness.
The southpaw went 3-1 with a 4.36 ERA in 19 appearances, including eight starts last season. He has re-signed with the Yankees on a one-year, $2.5 million contract. With his inclusion, the Yankees’ representation spans 13 players with four on Team USA alone.
Read More News:
MLB Injury Update: Blake Snell Facing Opening Day Uncertainty as José Berríos Declares “I’m Back”
