Royals pitcher Michael Wacha to represent United States in World Baseball Classic
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Michael Wacha named to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- Wacha joins Bobby Witt Jr.; Royals send multiple players to the WBC.
- Team USA opens Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston with March 4 start.
The Kansas City Royals will have two representatives on Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Starting pitcher Michael Wacha on Thursday was named to the United States’ squad. He will join teammate Bobby Witt Jr. in representing America on the global stage. Witt, who announced his intent to take part last season, headline Team USA alongside the Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Pirates’ Paul Skenes.
Wacha, 34, has posted solid numbers with the Royals. He arrived prior to the 2024 campaign and has provided consistency in the starting rotation. He owns a 3.61 ERA in 60 starts with the Royals.
Last season, the right-hander thrived as a clubhouse leader for KC’s younger pitchers. The Royals lauded Wacha for his pitching insight and calm demeanor. He proved durable, too, throwing 172 2/3 innings in 2025 — second most for a season in his big-league career.
Wacha is set to join fellow MLB veterans Skenes, Tarik Skubal (Tigers), Joe Ryan (Twins), Logan Webb (Giants) and Garrett Whitlock (Red Sox), among other major-leaguers on the U.S. roster. And Wacha becomes the second Royals starter — alongside Seth Lugo (Puerto Rico) — who is slated to appear in the World Baseball Classic.
Fellow Royals Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone will play for Italy. Salvador Perez and Maikel Garcia will represent Venezuela, while Carlos Estévez will pitch for the Dominican Republic.
The World Baseball Classic begins March 4. The United States will participate in Pool B with games at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.
It’s possible Wacha will face Pasquantino and Caglianone at some point. Team USA plays Team Italy on March 10. It’s round-robin play during the pool stage, and then the top eight teams will advance to compete in a championship bracket.
Japan defeated the U.S. for the 2023 WBC title and has won it three times. Team USA will look for its second title in the global event. The Americans took home the 2017 WBC title in Los Angeles.