After having 19 different players participate in the World Baseball Classic in 2023, the St. Louis Cardinals will have just 10 in 2026. Only six are on the 40-man roster.

The WBC rosters came out on Thursday night and the following Cardinals will leave the team in spring training to go represent their national teams:

1) Riley O'Brien (Korea)

2) Thomas Saggese (Italy)

3) Ivan Herrera (Panama)

4) Leonardo Bernal (Panama)

5) Matt Koperniak (Great Britain)

6) Luis Gastelum (Mexico)

7) Zach Levenson (Israel)

8) Noah Mendlinger (Israel)

9) Gordon Graceffo (Italy)

10) Bryan Torres (Puerto Rico)

Playing in the World Baseball Classic is a great honor, but it can come with a price for teams who see players leave amid evaluations and roster battles. And it can come at a price for players who don't get a chance to showcase everything they can do in front of coaches and team staff as they battle for specific roles. 

Here's how the WBC impacts the Cardinals this spring:

The Cardinals have seemingly three relievers battling for the highest-leverage spots in the bullpen: JoJo Romero, Ryne Stanek and Riley O'Brien.

Now 30 years old, O'Brien has spent parts of four years in the big leagues with the Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners and Cardinals, but he really broke out for St. Louis in 2025.

One of the bright spots of the Cardinals roster, O'Brien made 42 big-league appearances, going 3-1 with a 2.06 ERA. He struck out 45 batters in 48.0 innings, registering six saves. He also made 19 appearances for Triple-A Memphis, going 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA.

He seems to have the stuff to be the team's closer, but how will leaving for a week or two impact his ability to earn that spot? It remains to be seen.

A versatile infielder, Saggese played 35 games at second base in 2025 and 33 games at shortstop. He also played 18 games at third base, showcasing his versatility even more. With Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan traded, he seems to have the inside track at a steady starting spot, but can top prospect JJ Wetherholt take advantage of his absence to make a roster push?

Saggese hit .258 in 82 games last season, socking two home runs and driving in 25.

For all of the perceived roster warts that the Cardinals have entering 2026, catching is a strength. Still, to not have Leonardo Bernal and Ivan Herrera, who are both representing Panama, will place strain on the remaining group. Yohel Pozo, Pedro Pages and Jimmy Crooks should all get solid work in Grapefruit League action. 

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