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EspañolPuerto Rico has long been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the World Baseball Classic. This year, even though it's missing some of its biggest star power, it should still be a force.
The runner-up in 2017 after losing 8-0 to the United States in the final, Team Rubio went home early in 2023 in a dramatic 5-4 quarterfinal loss to Mexico. The lasting image from the last Classic, however, is closer Edwin Díaz being carried off the field after tearing his ACL while celebrating after striking out the side against the Dominican Republic to send Puerto Rico to the knockout rounds.
Díaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers this past offseason, will be back on the mound for Puerto Rico this year. But the team is missing some notable faces, most notably former captain Francisco Lindor. Several members of Team Rubio's longtime core, including Lindor, will miss the Classic due to insurance constraints that have restricted several big-name players across multiple countries from competing this year. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny offered to pay the insurance for Carlos Correa, but the Houston Astros infielder ultimately declined.
That opened the door for Nolan Arenado, who played for Team USA in 2017 and '23, to switch teams. He played a major role in USA's run to the finals in the most recent WBC, batting .385 and going 10-for-26 with four extra-base hits and five RBIs. Arenado is of Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage on his mother's side.
With Puerto Rico set to play in its first exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox at 6:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, here's everything you need to know about Team Rubio, including the full roster, schedule and how to watch.
Puerto Rico full World Baseball Classic roster
Pitchers
- Raymond Burgos, LHP, free agent
- Fernando Cruz, RHP, New York Yankees
- José De León, RHP, free agent
- Edwin Díaz, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Jose Espada, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
- Rico Garcia, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
- Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals
- Jorge López, RHP, free agent
- Jovani Morán, LHP, Boston Red Sox
- Luis Quiñones, RHP, Minnesota Twins
- Angel Reyes, RHP
- Eduardo Rivera, LHP, Boston Red Sox
- Gabriel Rodriguez, LHP, New York Mets
- Elmer Rodríguez, RHP, New York Yankees
- Yacksel Ríos, RHP, Chicago Cubs
- Ricardo Velez, RHP, Texas Rangers
Catchers
- Martín Maldonado, retired
- Christian Vázquez, free agent
Infielders
- Nolan Arenado, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Edwin Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds
- Darnell Hernaiz, Athletics
- Emmanuel Rivera, free agent
- Luis Vázquez, Baltimore Orioles
Outfielders
- Willi Castro, Colorado Rockies
- Carlos Cortes, Athletics
- Matthew Lugo, Los Angeles Angels
- MJ Melendez, New York Mets
- Heliot Ramos, San Francisco Giants
- Eddie Rosario, free agent
- Bryan Torres, St. Louis Cardinals
How to watch Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic: Full schedule
Here is the full World Baseball Classic pool play schedule for Puerto Rico:
Friday, March 6
6:00 p.m. ET: Puerto Rico at Colombia; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR; Fox Sports 1
Saturday, March 7
6:00 p.m. ET: Panama at Puerto Rico; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR; Fox Sports 1
Monday, March 9
7:00 p.m. ET: Cuba at Puerto Rico; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR; Fox Sports 1
Tuesday, March 10
7:00 p.m. ET: Canada at Puerto Rico; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR; Tubi
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Puerto Rico full World Baseball Classic roster, schedule, how to watch