WBC: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wants more star pitchers in the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has been pleased with the excitement created by this year’s World Baseball Classic and has stated he hopes the next contest in three years’ time sees more involvement from some of the game’s star pitchers.

‘It’s great the guys that we have,’ Manfred told a small scrum of reporters, ‘but I’d like to see pitching staffs that are of the same quality as our position players.

‘It’s not lobbying. It’s having facts to support it — that pitching in high-leverage situations like these are, that actually helps players develop.’

Due to the volatility of many pitchers’ health and the timing of the tournament it has long been difficult for national teams to deploy some of the game’s top stars on the mound, however Manfred and other league officials are hoping MLB teams will soon become more open to the idea.

‘We have talked about timing until your head hurts,’ Manfred said. ‘It’s just no perfect time. We can’t really do it during the playoffs because so many players would be down.’

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred urged more star MLB pitchers to participate in the WBC 

MLB’s biggest star pitcher Shohei Ohtani particpated in and won the WBC with Japan this year

‘We have talked about something in the middle of the season. I think on balance, although it’s not perfect, this is probably the right place for it.’ 

One of the reasons that MLB teams worry about star players, especially pitchers participating in the WBC was seen recently when New York Mets star closer Edwin Diaz suffered a likely season-ending injury while celebrating in Puerto Rico’s win over the Dominican Republic.

Diaz and the Mets had already been exercising caution by not allowing him to pitch on back-to-back days, however that seemingly did not make a difference as he still suffered a torn patella tendon.

This year’s WBC was won by Japan in a closely contested 3-2 game that concluded what most have called an outstanding tournament.

Coincidentally Japan’s roster featured arguably the biggest star pitcher in all of baseball in Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani.

Mets’ Edwin Diaz became a perfect example of why many pitchers avoid the WBC as he was celebrating Puerto Rico beating the Dominican Republic when he suffered a torn patella