All-Stars Aranda, Walker part of crew joining Mexico for Classic

Mexico is bulking up its roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

It was announced Friday that the four newest members of the club are infielders Jonathan Aranda and Joey Ortiz, right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker and outfielder Alek Thomas. They will try to help Team Mexico build upon its third-place finish from 2023, the club’s best in WBC history.

Aranda, Walker and Thomas were members of that ‘23 team. Thomas scored six runs in six games, and Walker struck out eight batters over four scoreless innings in a victory over Great Britain.

Aranda, who went 1-for-6 in the '23 WBC, was a first-time All-Star in 2025 as he batted .316 with an .882 OPS for the Rays. However, a left wrist fracture sidelined him for most of the season’s final two months.

Ortiz hit seven homers last year for the Brewers while logging an impressive 13 outs above average at shortstop. Thomas had nine home runs and a .659 OPS across 143 games for the D-backs. The 33-year-old Walker turned in a 4.08 ERA in 123 2/3 innings for the Phillies in 2025. He appeared in 34 games, making 21 starts.

Those four join five other big leaguers who have already been confirmed for Team Mexico: catcher Alejandro Kirk, outfielders Randy Arozarena and Jarren Duran and infielders and brothers Ramón Urías and Luis Urías.

Mexico’s first game in the 2026 World Baseball Classic will come against Great Britain on March 6. First pitch from Houston’s Daikin Park is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Mexico and Great Britain are in Pool B along with the United States, Italy and Brazil.