Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic roster: Nolan Arenado, Edwin Diaz headline 2026 WBC team originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Puerto Rico is back in the World Baseball Classic.
The international tournament began in 2006, and Puerto Rico has had a team compete in every iteration since. Team Puerto Rico is still searching for its first WBC win, but it has come close in the past.
After back-to-back fifth-place finishes in 2006 and 2009, Puerto Rico made it to the championship in both 2013 and 2017. Team Puerto Rico lost 3-0 against the Dominican Republic and got shut out 8-0 by the United States in 2017.
Puerto Rico’s roster has been a huge topic of discussion leading up to the tournament. Many of the star players were either too old or had injury histories that made them ineligible for the required insurance needed to participate. After stars like Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa were denied coverage, there was concern that Puerto Rico may even drop from the tournament entirely, but eventually they opted to remain in with the roster that they strung together.
Here is everything to know about Puerto Rico’s 2026 World Baseball Classic roster.
MORE: 2026 World Baseball Classic rosters
Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic 2026 roster
Every World Baseball Classic roster is made up of 30 players. Puerto Rico opted to split the roster with 16 pitchers and 14 hitters.
Pitcher
| Player | Team | Throws |
| Raymond Burgos | — | L |
| Fernando Cruz | New York Yankees | R |
| Jose De Leon | — | R |
| Edwin Diaz | Los Angeles Dodgers | R |
| Jose Espada | Baltimore Orioles | R |
| Rico Garcia | Baltimore orioles | R |
| Seth Lugo | Kansas City Royals | R |
| Jorge Lopez | — | R |
| Jovani Moran | Boston Red Sox | L |
| Luis Quinones | — | R |
| Angel Reyes | — | R |
| Eduardo Rivera | — | L |
| Gabriel Rodriguez | — | L |
| Elmer Rodriguez | — | R |
| Yacksel Rios | — | R |
| Ricardo Velez | — | R |
Catchers
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Martin Maldonado | — | R/R |
| Christian Vazquez | — | R/R |
Infielders
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Nolan Arenado | Arizona Diamondbacks | R/R |
| Edwin Arroyo | — | S/R |
| Darell Hernaiz | Athletics | R/R |
| Emmanuel Rivera | — | R/R |
| Luis Vazquez | — | R/R |
Outfielders
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Willi Castro | Colorado Rockies | S/R |
| Carlos Cortes | Athletics | L/S |
| Matthew Lugo | Los Angeles Angels | R/R |
| MJ Melendez | New York Mets | L/R |
| Heliot Ramos | San Francisco Giants | R/R |
| Eddie Rosario | — | L/R |
| Bryan Torres | — | L/R |
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Puerto Rico players to watch
Puerto Rico’s roster took a big hit from the insurance that is required to play for the World Baseball Classic. With Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor leading those denied coverage, so many players were denied that Puerto Rico toyed with the idea of dropping out of the competition entirely.
Team Puerto Rico opted to compete regardless, and picked up an unlikely add in Nolan Arenado. Despite playing for Team USA the past two WBC’s, the third baseman decided to honor his mother’s heritage and play for Team Puerto Rico.
Others to watch on the team include Willi Castro, MJ Melendez, Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo and Heliot Ramos.
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Who is coaching Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic?
MLB fans will be very familiar with the Puerto Rico manager. Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is the Team Puerto Rico skipper for the 2026 WBC. Molina was with the Cardinals from 2004 to 2022 and was a 10-time All-Star and a 2-time World Series champion. He represented Puerto Rico in the 2013 and 2017 WBC’s, and was named the manager for the team for the 2023 tournament.
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Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic history
Puerto Rico has consistently played well at the World Baseball Classic. They debuted at the first WBC in 2006, but were eliminated in the second round and finished fifth overall. Team Puerto Rico turned in another fifth-place finish. In 2013, Puerto Rico finished in second after losing the championship 3-0 to the Dominican Republic. Team Puerto Rico made it back to the World Baseball Classic championship in 2017, but got shut out 8-0 by the United States.
Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/ Live stream |
| Fri., March 6 | Puerto Rico vs. Colombia | 6 p.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| Sat., March 7 | Puerto Rico vs. Panama | 6 p.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| Mon., March 9 | Puerto Rico vs. Cuba | 7 p.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| Tues., March 10 | Puerto Rico vs. Canada | 7 p.m. | Tubi |
| March 13 or 14 | Quarterfinals | TBD | TBD |
| March 15 or 16 | Semifinals | 8 p.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| March 17 | Championship | 8 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
