These players suited up for multiple World Baseball Classic teams

Playing in the World Baseball Classic is a joy. Getting to do so multiple times? Even better.

Then there is the select group of players who have played not just in multiple Classics, but for multiple teams as well. How? With the eligibility criteria, a player could end up a candidate for multiple federations based on his lineage, not just his country of birth.

This year, Nolan Arenado, who played for Team USA in both 2017 and 2023, is on Puerto Rico’s roster. His mother, Millie, is of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent.

When he appears in a game, Arenado will join this short list of players to represent multiple teams in the tournament.

Adam Ottavino: 2023 USA, 2009 Italy
Ottavino’s family is of Italian heritage, and he pitched for Team Italy in the 2009 WBC as a 23-year-old yet to make his MLB debut, making one start. He threw three scoreless innings against Venezuela, allowing just one hit, a leadoff double by Endy Chavez, to a lineup that included Bobby Abreu, Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. By the time he took the WBC mound again in 2023, this time for Team USA, the New York-born pitcher was entering his 13th MLB season. He made two scoreless relief appearances. And this time around, at age 40, he’s on Italy’s roster once again.

Marcus Stroman: 2023 Puerto Rico, 2017 USA
The New York native didn’t just pitch for Team USA in 2017, he won WBC MVP and his team won the title. In three starts, he had a 2.35 ERA, including six scoreless innings with just one hit allowed in the championship game against Puerto Rico. The next time around in 2023, Stroman honored his mother’s Puerto Rican heritage by pitching for Team Rubio. He had a 3.00 ERA in two starts.

Paul Rutgers: 2009 Republic of South Africa, 2006 Australia
Rutgers, who was born in Melbourne, spent time in the Minors with the Twins from 2002-05. In the inaugural Classic in 2006, Rutgers played for Team Australia, appearing in two games as a defensive replacement and pinch-hitter. Three years later, he became the first member of this list by playing for the Republic of South Africa. He played in another two games, this time starting both.

Bruce Chen: 2017 China, 2006 & 2009 Panama
The Panamanian-born Chen pitched for his birth country in each of the first two Classics, starting a game in each at age 28 and 31. Chen is of Chinese descent -- his grandparents emigrated from China to Panama. He originally tried to play for Team China in 2013, but ran into a procedural issue. In 2017, it all worked out and he was able to play for the team, making one start.