From Brayan Bello to Wilyer Abreu, Boston will be well represented on the international stage
As spring training approaches, the Red Sox are beginning to get clarity on just how involved their roster will be in this year’s World Baseball Classic.
And, as expected, the answer is ‘quite a bit.’
Two more names were officially added to the WBC mix on Thursday, with Team Venezuela announcing that outfielder Wilyer Abreu will represent his country, while the Dominican Republic revealed that right-hander Brayan Bello has been selected to its roster. Both players are set to leave Red Sox camp to participate in the tournament, which begins March 5, with Pool D games taking place in Miami.
For Abreu and Bello, this marks a milestone moment.
Neither has played in a World Baseball Classic before, though both have openly expressed interest in doing so for years. Now 26, each has established himself as a core piece of Boston’s roster, making their international debuts another layer to an already important spring.
They also won’t be alone. Boston’s WBC footprint continues to expand, with several commitments already locked in.
Garrett Whitlock committed to Team USA back in November, while closer Aroldis Chapman is set to pitch for Great Britain - a pairing manager Alex Cora confirmed earlier this month. Outfielders Jarren Duran (Mexico) and Ceddanne Rafaela (Netherlands) have also been confirmed as participants.
The list keeps growing.
Right-hander Greg Weissert has been selected to Team Italy’s roster, according to multiple media reports, and newcomer Ranger Suarez is expected to pitch for Venezuela - though that selection has not yet been made official. Left-handed reliever Jovani Moran is also expected to suit up for Puerto Rico, per Cora.
There are still a few situations to monitor.
The Red Sox are awaiting final word on first baseman Willson Contreras and outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida, both of whom are candidates to play for Venezuela and Japan, respectively. Those decisions remain pending as roster deadlines approach.
Oct 1, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello (66) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning of game two of the Wildcard round of the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)Not everyone who hoped to participate will get the chance. Infielder Marcelo Mayer, who had interest in playing for Team Mexico, will sit out the tournament due to insurance complications stemming from wrist surgery last summer. Catcher Carlos Narvaez will also not participate for Venezuela. Meanwhile, several prominent Red Sox - including Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet - are not expected to take part, while others such as Sonny Gray, Trevor Story, and Johan Oviedo have not emerged as candidates.
Taken together, it’s a sizable contingent, and one that underscores the increasingly global makeup of Boston’s roster. While the Red Sox will manage innings, workloads, and absences carefully throughout camp, the organization has long supported players representing their countries on the international stage.
Final WBC rosters will be announced February 5 on MLB Network. Until then, the Red Sox will continue to balance preparation for Opening Day with a spring that, for many of their players, will extend well beyond Fort Myers.
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.