Freddie Freeman has opted out of the 2026 World Baseball Classic for Team Canada due to personal reasons, marking the first time since 2013 that he will not represent his country. The Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman's decision opens the door for Seattle Mariners' Josh Naylor to take the starting role at first base. Meanwhile, several Dodgers teammates are set to participate in the tournament.
The announcement, first reported by Shi Davidi of SportsNet on January 11, 2026, comes as preparations for the World Baseball Classic intensify. Freeman, a key figure for Canada in past editions, cited personal reasons for his withdrawal, leaving a notable gap in the lineup. This will be the first WBC Freeman has missed since debuting for Team Canada in 2013.
Other Los Angeles Dodgers players are confirmed to join their national teams. Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will defend Japan's title from the 2023 tournament, while catcher Will Smith returns for Team USA. Infielder Hyeseong Kim is attending Team Korea's camp with hopes of participating. Notably, pitcher Roki Sasaki has been omitted from Japan's roster as he focuses on his first full, healthy season in the majors.
As the Dodgers enter 2026 with baseball's top-ranked farm system, per MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo, the team anticipates contributions from rising prospects. Outfielder Josue De Paula (Dodgers No. 1 prospect, MLB No. 13) impressed with an .827 OPS, 12 homers, and a 108.5 mph, 416-foot homer that earned him All-Star Futures Game MVP honors in 2025. He struck out just five more times than he walked across 98 High-A games. Left-hander Jackson Ferris (Dodgers No. 6, MLB No. 98), acquired in a 2024 trade, posted a 1.95 ERA over 14 Double-A starts from June 21 through the end of 2025, the third-best among qualified Minor Leaguers in that span. After a full year at Double-A, Ferris is projected to begin 2026 at Triple-A and could reach the majors if opportunities arise.
The Dodgers' recent success, including back-to-back World Series titles and three in six seasons, underscores their organizational depth. This blend of international participation and prospect potential positions Los Angeles for another strong campaign amid the WBC's global spotlight.
