With 113 wins across 14 big league seasons, Jose Quintana sits atop the list of Major League wins for a Colombian-born pitcher. Now, the veteran left-hander, who is currently a free agent, is back to represent the national team as its captain in March's World Baseball Classic. The Federacion Colombiana de Béisbol made the announcement on their social media channels earlier on Wednesday, though rosters won't be final until February 5.
Quintana is coming off a successful 2025 campaign, posting an 11-7 record and 3.96 ERA in 131 2/3 innings with the Brewers, and will now return to the national team for the first time since the 2017 tournament. That year, Quintana went up against the eventual champions, the USA, and shut them down for 5 2/3 innings. He gave up just one hit and one run and left with a no-decision. He then planned on pitching in the 2023 tournament before a rib injury he suffered during Spring Training forced him off the roster.
Though no announcement has been made, Quintana could be paired alongside Julio Teheran in the Colombian rotation. Teheran, who took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Brazil in the 2025 Tucson Qualifiers, has the second-most MLB wins for a Colombian-born pitcher behind Quintana with 81.
Colombia will begin World Baseball Classic pool play against Puerto Rico on March 6 in San Juan.