Spanish
.Santo Domingo(EFE).— The Dominican Baseball Federation (Fedom) confirmed this Tuesday that Major League stars Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Elly de la Cruz have expressed their intention to represent the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, significantly strengthening the roster that will be led by manager Albert Pujols.
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The additions of Machado and Tatis Jr., both players from the San Diego Padres, along with the phenomenon of the Cincinnati Reds, Elly de la Cruz, strengthen a core that already has talents like Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays) and Geraldo Perdomo (Arizona Diamondbacks), previously committed to the Dominican Republic national team. Machado, known as “The Minister” for his defensive excellence at third base, is considered the natural leader of the team. The third baseman will play in his third World Baseball Classic, after participating in the 2017 and 2023 editions. For their part, Tatis Jr. (“El Niño”) and De la Cruz (“La Cocoa”) will wear the Dominican uniform for the first time in a World Baseball Classic, contributing an explosive mix of power, speed, and dynamism. The Dominican selection has scheduled two exhibition games on March 3rd and 4th at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal stadium against the Detroit Tigers, as part of their preparation for the tournament, which will be held from March 5th to 17th, 2026. In Major League Baseball, Machado maintains an average of 32 home runs per season, accumulating 369 home runs throughout a 14-year career. Tatis Jr. is coming off hitting 25 home runs, while De la Cruz hit 20, figures that reflect the offensive potential they will add to the Dominican team. In defense, both Machado and Tatis Jr. have proven to be above-average players, with both being Gold Glove winners in Major League Baseball. The Dominican Republic, undefeated champion in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, will compete in Group D, where it will face Nicaragua, Venezuela, Israel and Netherlands.
