Several MLB stars join, further strengthening the classic roster of the Dominican Republic team

To get ready for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the Dominican Republic team is steadily bolstering its roster. Last week, four MLB players officially joined: Fernando Tatis Jr., Oneil Cruz, Cristopher Sánchez, and Sandy Alcantara.

Today, another major player was announced to join: Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be teaming up with his compatriots for the tournament.

The Dominican Baseball Federation declared that these five players will represent the nation in this Classic. This addition means the lineup now includes the lightning-fast hitters Guerrero Jr., Tatis, and Cruz, while the starting rotation gains strength with pitchers Sánchez and Alcantara.

The Dominican Republic team is placed in Group D and will open their campaign against Nicaragua at loanDepot Park in Miami on March 7 at 8 a.m. Beijing time (March 6, 7 p.m. Eastern Time).

Tatis just completed his third All-Star season with the San Diego Padres, hitting 25 home runs and stealing 32 bases, marking the third time in his career he has achieved a “25 HR-25 SB” season.

Cruz contributed 20 home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates and tied for the National League lead with 38 stolen bases. On May 25, he hit a home run with a ball speed of 122.9 mph (about 197.8 km/h), setting the hardest-hit ball record since Statcast tracking began.

Guerrero Jr. just finished one of his best career seasons, earning his fifth consecutive All-Star selection and leading the Blue Jays to a Game 7 in the World Series. In the regular season, he posted a .292 batting average, 23 home runs, and a .848 OPS; in the playoffs, he delivered an outstanding .397 average, 8 home runs, and a 1.289 OPS.

Sánchez demonstrated ace-level starting pitching for the Phillies, throwing 202 innings with a 13-5 record, a 2.50 ERA, and 212 strikeouts. This left-handed pitcher ranked second in the National League Cy Young voting, just behind the Pirates’ Paul Skenes.

Alcantara, a former Cy Young Award winner and two-time All-Star, experienced some inconsistency after returning from Tommy John surgery in 2025 (with 174.2 innings pitched, an 11-12 record, 5.36 ERA, and 142 strikeouts), but gradually regained his form in the latter half of the season.