PR submits preliminary roster to MLB for 2026 World Baseball Classic

The Team Puerto Rico preliminary 35-player roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic was submitted to Major League Baseball this week. The final roster of 30 players must be submitted to MLB by Feb. 3.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Baseball Federation earlier this week submitted its 35-player preliminary roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, a requirement of Major League Baseball as part of the national team selection process.

The roster will not be made public until authorized by MLB, the Federation stated.

“Putting together a team for a tournament of the magnitude of the World Baseball Classic requires planning, analysis, and absolute commitment,” Federation President José Daniel Quiles said in a written statement on Wednesday. “Our general manager, Carlos Beltrán, along with operations manager Joey Solá and executive director Efraín Williams, have done a serious, responsible, and meticulous job. We are satisfied with the process and trust their recommendations to field a team that will represent Puerto Rico with dignity.”

Beltrán said the evaluation focused on reducing the initial group of 50 players to 35, a task he described as complex due to the quality of the talent considered.

“The process of reducing the roster from 50 to 35 players is never easy, because we know that each player who is left out has put in effort, commitment, and heart,” he said. “That’s why we took the time to evaluate each player with the utmost respect, always looking for the best combinations that give us the strongest chance to compete.”

The general manager added that the next stage will consist of reducing the roster to the 30 players allowed for the tournament.

“... [W]e will complete that stage in February,” Beltrán said. “Both myself and the Federation are working with dedication and transparency to ensure that this experience of representing Puerto Rico is meaningful and positive.”

Beltrán added that they have already received permission from MLB to call up several players who have confirmed their availability, while efforts continue to obtain the remaining authorizations.

“It’s a process that takes time, as has happened in previous tournaments, but we continue forward with patience, humility, and enthusiasm,” he said. “God willing, our goal remains the same: to represent Puerto Rico with dignity and make our name proud.”

The final roster must be submitted to MLB by Feb. 3, 2026.