The World Baseball Classic rosters for 2026 were released on Thursday night and the Seattle Mariners have 16 different players who will represent their national teams in the international tournament that begins on March 5.

One player that won't be going to the WBC? Reliever Matt Brash, who had been expected to play for Canada.

On the one hand, not seeing Brash's name is refreshing for M's fans because we've covered how nervewracking it is to send relievers to the WBC. The Mariners are already sending Andres Munoz, Eduard Bazardo and Gabe Speier to the WBC, it's nice to not send each of their top four relievers there.

On the other hand? It's scary to not see Brash's name on there. He played for Canada in 2023 and he was on the preliminary list for 2026. If he has played before and was previously committed, why did he pull out? Is he hurt? Is the first question that comes to mind.

So what's at play here?

Insurance for the World Baseball Classic was notoriously stringent this time around, and the inability to get insured cost guys like Francisco Lindor an opportunity to play in the event. Puerto Rico threatened to pull out of the event over how strict the insurance policies were.

Brash had Tommy John surgery in 2024 and missed the entire season. He was also on the injured list for the first month of 2025 while recovering. Was that enough to make him un-insurable? It's possible.

Matthew Boyd (USA) had surgery in 2023 but returned in 2024, and he's playing. So, people with Tommy John surgery did get clearance, but perhaps the more recent nature of the surgery was different for Brash.

An article from Sportsnet in Canada said that Team Canada largely sidestepped insurance issues. It simply says that Brash "withdrew," but offers no explanation why.

It should be noted that several other Canadian pitching stalwarts are also not playing, meaning this is not solely a Brash issue.

Most of the Canadians’ top choices from the provisional rosters submitted Dec. 3 have so far held, although power-armed Seattle Mariners reliever Matt Brash was a notable recent withdrawal. 

All-star Freddie Freeman, the son of Canadian parents who wore the Maple Leaf at the past two tournaments, starter Nick Pivetta, relievers Cade Smith, Eric Sabrowski and Jordan Romano and pitching prospects Jonah Tong and Mitch Bratt are also among the notable players who either withdrew or turned down invitations.

Spring training begins next week. Then, we will get some answers. Mariners Roundtable will have live coverage from Peoria, Ariz. coming up from Feb. 19-23 and again from March 3-8. Keep following us here for all the latest as the M's go for another AL West title.

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