Dodgers catcher Will Smith will once again represent Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Manager Mark DeRosa confirmed Smith’s commitment, adding him to a growing roster that already includes Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson, and others.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith is set to once again suit up for Team USA on the global stage. During an appearance on MLB Network on Tuesday morning, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa revealed that Smith has officially committed to playing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, giving the national squad one of baseball’s premier all-around backstops.
Smith was announced as part of a four-player group unveiled by DeRosa, joining Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, and Brewers infielder Brice Turang. With Smith on board, Team USA’s catching situation gains stability and experience. He is expected to share duties behind the plate with Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who was named to the roster earlier in the summer. The Raleigh–Smith tandem will give Team USA a blend of power, defensive ability, and experience handling elite pitching.
These additions join two other young outfielders already committed to the tournament: Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs. More roster announcements are expected throughout the offseason, but Smith’s early inclusion provides an anchor at a crucial position.
For the Dodgers, Smith becomes the second member of the organization to commit to the 2026 event. Shohei Ohtani has already confirmed he intends to play for Japan, which enters the tournament as the defending champions. Whether Ohtani will pitch in the event remains uncertain, but his participation as a hitter has been confirmed.
The Dodgers will also have representation on the coaching side. Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel is slated to reprise his role as Team USA’s third base coach, the same position he held during the last WBC.
Smith previously represented Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he appeared in three of the team’s seven games during its run to the championship final. Despite limited opportunities, he made an impact—recording a home run, a double, three runs scored, and a pair of walks across 10 at-bats.
The 2026 edition of the tournament is scheduled for March 5–17, with a modified pool setup and venues across two countries. Team USA will compete in Pool B, which will be held from March 6–11 at Daikin Park in Houston. Japan will host Pool C games at the Tokyo Dome from March 5–10. Once pool play wraps up, the quarterfinals will be split between Houston and loanDepot Park in Miami on March 13–14. The semifinals and championship game will be played exclusively in Miami from March 15–17.