USA Team Replaces Three Relief Pitchers, Adjusts Classic Tournament Lineup

The 2026 World Baseball Classic group stage matches left countless unforgettable moments and continuous excitement. After the quarter-finals commence, we anticipate witnessing more equally thrilling confrontations.

Before the tournament resumes, each team has made some roster adjustments. Below are the changes for each team.

USA Team

Departing Players:

Tigers left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal

Royals right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha

Yankees left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough

Supplemental Players:

Tigers right-handed pitcher Will Vest

Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Tyler Rogers

Yankees left-handed pitcher Tim Hill

Skubal pitched three innings in the USA team's victory over the British team on March 7. He initially indicated he might play again for the USA team but ultimately adhered to the original plan, returning to the Tigers spring training base and missing the remainder of the Classic tournament.

The addition of Vest, Rogers, and Hill provides the USA team with ample bullpen options for the later stages of the tournament. These three relief pitchers each held opposing batters' OPS below 0.640 in the previous MLB season.