By The Canadian Press

All-star Josh Naylor headlines Canada’s World Baseball Classic roster

Feb 5, 2026 | 5:55 PM

OTTAWA — All-star first baseman Josh Naylor is among the 30 players named to Canada’s World Baseball Classic roster, Baseball Canada announced Thursday.

Naylor, who plays for the MLB’s Seattle Mariners, was an all-star in 2024 with the Cleveland Guardians. He had 20 home runs and 92 RBIs in 2025, split between the Guardians and Mariners, who he helped lead to the American League Championship Series.

It will be the second WBC appearance for Naylor of Mississauga, Ont. He will be joined by two-time Gold Glove winner Tyler O’Neill, who plays for the Baltimore Orioles. O’Neill of Burnaby, B.C., will compete in his third consecutive WBC.

The roster features 21 players who are either current Major League players or have previous MLB playing experience.

Canada’s roster includes 14 players who competed in the most recent World Baseball Classic in 2023 including Phillippe Aumont, Owen Caissie, Denzel Clarke, Indigo Diaz, Edouard Julien, Otto Lopez, Bo Naylor, O’Neill, Cal Quantrill, Jacob Robson, Noah Skirrow, Abraham Toro, Jared Young, and Rob Zastryzny. Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman pulled out of the event last month due to personal reasons.

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Canada will compete in Pool A, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with games scheduled against Colombia (March 7), Panama (March 8), Puerto Rico (March 10), and Cuba (March 11). The top two teams in Pool A will advance to the quarterfinal round in Houston.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2026.

The Canadian Press