As the Team USA roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic continues to take shape, a veteran slugger lobbied for a spot. Per Tim Healey of Newsday, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso said he wants to make his second trip to the WBC for Team USA, though he has not yet spoken to manager Mark DeRosa about joining the team again.

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge will make his Team USA debut and be the captain of the team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, he announced in an interview on MLB Network on Monday. He becomes the second Yankees captain to play for Team USA in the WBC. Derek Jeter was on the roster in 2006 and 2009.

Aaron Judge announced Monday that he will play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa revealed that the New York Yankees captain will also be captain of the U.S. squad, which begins play on March 6, 2026.