Which Yankees Are Playing in the World Baseball Classic?

Nestor Cortes headlines New York’s small WBC contingent.

Only a handful of Yankees are participating in the World Baseball Classic this year.

That contingent includes left-handed starter Nestor Cortes, right-handed reliever Jonathan Loáisiga, second baseman Gleyber Torres and catcher Kyle Higashioka. Cortes and Higashioka will play for the United States while Loáisiga will throw for Nicaragua. Torres, meanwhile, is suiting up for Venezuela.

Minor league reliever Indigo Diaz is listed on the Canadian squad, but he is not on New York’s 40-man roster and was not invited to big league camp. The Yankees acquired Diaz over the offseason in a deal that sent Lucas Luetge to Atlanta.

MLB Network revealed complete WBC rosters on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Introducing Team USA for the #WorldBaseballClassic! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0ALt4DdWHv

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 9, 2023

Earlier this offseason, Cortes described the chance to play for Team USA as “a dream come true.” The Cuban-born, Florida-raised southpaw expressed a desire to play for his native country one day, but he was grateful for a chance to represent the U.S. after attending WBC games in Miami as a kid.

“I love my Cuban roots and the Cuban blood that runs through my veins,” Cortes wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post, “but the land of opportunity has once again put me in a position to be part of what I once saw only as a dream, and to some this dream is more than just baseball, but all I am is a baseball player, and I will represent this great country with honor and thankfulness as nothing less should be expected.”

The Yankees’ WBC players, like those on other major league teams, have to report to spring training a few days earlier than everyone else. Pitchers and catchers participating in the international tournament must arrive by Feb. 13, while WBC position players must report by Feb. 16.

Yankees pitchers and catchers who are not participating in the event have to report by Feb. 16, while such position players must be in camp by Feb. 20.

WBC players have to report to camps for their country on March 6. WBC games will take place from March 8-21. Players will rejoin their MLB teams in camp when their countries are eliminated.

The Yankees’ WBC delegation once looked like it would be slightly larger, as right-handed starter Luis Severino and lefty reliever Wandy Peralta were preliminary options for the Dominican Republic. However, general manager Brian Cashman didn’t want Severino to participate due to the pitcher’s lengthy injury history.

“That’s not in our best interest,” Cashman recently told 670 The Score in Chicago. “Having him pitch competitive, championship-contending World Baseball Classic innings in March, versus preparation innings in March for your long-haul season, that was a decision I had to make.

“I respect he wanted to play, but I gotta protect the Yankees first."

Torres’ participation in the WBC, meanwhile, means he is bound to miss a portion of Yankees camp at a time when his future with the club is uncertain.

His absence will create more spring opportunities for top prospects Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe. Both are competing to be New York’s starting shortstop, but reps at second base will allow them to improve their versatility while the Yankees try to determine if both players are the future of their middle infield.

MORE:

• Where Yankees’ Top Prospects With Non-Roster Invitation Stand Entering Camp
• Which Non-Roster Invitees Are Most Likely to Play For Yankees This Season
• Yankees Add Righty With Limited MLB Experience

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