Coming off another World Series title, Los Angeles Dodgers star shortstop Mookie Betts has had a busy offseason, and another big commitment is coming up. 

In a recent appearance with streamer Adin Ross, Betts announced that he and his wife, Brianna, are expecting their third child in March, meaning he will not play for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. 

“No, man, so I was, but I can't now,” Betts told Ross. “My wife, you know, we're having the kids, so the baby's due right in the middle of the WBC.” 

The couple already have two children: A daughter, Kynlee Ivory, who was born in 2018, and a son, Kaj Lynn, who was born in April 2023. 

“She said she would divorce me if I wasn't there,” Betts said jokingly. “It is what it is.” 

In 2023, Betts was a key piece in leading Team USA to the WBC championship game, where they lost to Betts’ eventual teammate, Shohei Ohtani, and Team Japan. Through all seven games Team USA played in, Betts started in right field. During the tournament, Betts slashed .313/.333/.355 with one double and one RBI. 

Betts, 33, has had an incredibly decorated career up to this point. He is a four-time World Series champion, three of which have come with the Dodgers. His first title came as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 2018, who, coincidentally, defeated the Dodgers in five games. 

Betts also boasts eight All-Star selections, an MVP, six Gold Gloves, a batting title, seven Silver Slugger awards and more. 

Last season, despite facing hardships such as a stomach illness that caused him to lose 20 pounds and the death of his stepfather, Betts still had a strong year. In 150 games, he hit .258/.326/.406 with 20 home runs and 82 RBIs en route to another ring. 

While Betts will miss the WBC, two-time American League Cy Young Award winner and Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal announced that he will play for Team USA on the social media platform X by posting an American flag emoji.  

Skubal, 29, has had rumors swirling about his future in Detroit. Naturally, the Dodgers have been linked as a potential landing spot. The 2026 WBC will be Skubal’s first. 

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