NEW YORK.– The United States team continues to strengthen its roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, after announcing the incorporation of three of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball: Tarik Skubal, Mason Miller and David Bednar.
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The three pitchers confirmed this Thursday their commitment to Team USA, which is putting together a top-level pitching staff with the aim of regaining the Classic crown.
With these additions, the United States will have
both winners of the 2025 Cy Young Award in its starting rotation: Skubal, the new monarch of the American League with the Detroit Tigers, and
Paul Skenes, who had already been previously announced and won the award in the National League with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Skubal is coming off an outstanding season in 2025, in which he recorded a
13-6 record, an ERA of
2.21, and
241 strikeouts. In the last two years, the lefty has accumulated elite numbers, solidifying himself as one of the most dominant arms in baseball.
A high-voltage bullpen
The American relay also looks imposing with the inclusion of
Mason Miller, considered one of the most intimidating closers in MLB. In the 2025 campaign, the right-hander recorded an ERA of
2.63 in 60 appearances, with
104 strikeouts in 61.2 innings. His fastball averaged
101.2 miles per hour, and he was the only Major League pitcher to exceed
104 mph during the season.
Joining that group is David Bednar, who became a key piece of the Yankees’ bullpen after arriving from the Pirates at the 2025 Trade Deadline. In five postseason appearances, Bednar posted an ERA of 1.50, providing experience and solidity in high-pressure scenarios.
A team full of stars
In addition to the stellar pitching, the United States lineup for the 2026 Classic will feature top-tier figures, led by captain
Aaron Judge, along with
Bobby Witt Jr. and
Cal Raleigh, among other prominent names.
The United States won the World Baseball Classic in 2017, but finished as runner-up in the 2023 edition, after falling in the final against Japan. Now, with a roster loaded with talent, they will seek to return to the top of the tournament.
Team USA’s debut in the 2026 World Baseball Classic will be on the
6th of March, when they face
Brazil at
8:00 PM (ET) at
Daikin Park in Houston, within Group B.
