Puerto Rico hoping to get over the hump at 2026 World Baseball Classic

Even though a few household names are absent from its roster, Puerto Rico enters the 2026 World Baseball Classic with aspirations of capturing the nation's first WBC title.

"When you play for Puerto Rico, it's a different passion," Carlos Beltrán, the general manager of the 2026 squad, said in December. "It's a different energy. And you feel that from the first pitch of the game to the last."

Twice, Puerto Rico has come one win shy of a title, finishing as tournament runners-up in 2013 and 2017. The national team will attempt to get over that hump this year without a few of its marquee players. Neither Francisco Lindor nor Carlos Correa will compete in the 2026 tournament due to insurance constraints, though star closer Edwin Díaz is set to return to the WBC for the first time since he suffered a devastating knee injury during the 2023 event.

This year's tournament also figures to be extra special for Team PR. As a member of Pool A, Puerto Rico will compete in pool play in San Juan, Puerto Rico, playing in front of its home fans for the first time since 2013.

Maybe an energized home crowd will propel Puerto Rico out of a wide-open group and kickstart a memorable tournament run.

How they fared in 2023

Puerto Rico faced a fellow WBC stalwart, the Dominican Republic, in a win-or-go-home matchup to close out pool play in Miami. In a raucous environment, the Puerto Ricans jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and later tacked on another run via a little league home run from Francisco Lindor, whose mad dash around the bases sent his teammates spilling out of the dugout in celebration.

But Puerto Rico's stay in the 2023 WBC is best remembered by a rather somber scene: Díaz suffered a complete patellar tendon tear in his right knee while celebrating his save that sent Puerto Rico to the quarterfinals.

Puerto Rico was one-and-done in the next round, eliminated via a 5-4 loss to Mexico in heart-breaking fashion. Alexis Díaz and Jorge López could not stop the bleeding in a three-run seventh inning, relinquishing what had once been a four-run first-inning lead. It was the first time since 2009 that the Puerto Ricans did not advance to the championship game.

2026 WBC schedule

Puerto Rico will compete in Pool A alongside Canada, Colombia, Cuba and Panama. All Pool A games will be hosted at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico; it's the first time that Team PR will play on its home soil in the WBC since 2013.

The Pool A slate begins on Friday, March 6, with Puerto Rico facing Colombia at 6 p.m. ET. Here's the rest of the national team's first-round schedule:

March 7: vs. Panama, 6 p.m. ET
March 9: vs. Cuba, 7 p.m. ET
March 10: vs. Canada, 7 p.m. ET

Should it advance out of its group, Puerto Rico would play in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 13 or Saturday, March 14.

Best Classic performance

Though it also finished as runners-up in 2013, Puerto Rico was truly dominant in 2017, when it entered the title game with an unblemished 7-0 record. Even with an underwhelming 8-0 loss in the championship game, Puerto Rico out-scored the opposition 55-26 across an eight-game tournament slate. The dynamite infield of Lindor, Correa, and Javy Báez stole the show; Báez in particular shined with a splendid no-look tag at second base and a swim move to steal third base, two defining highlights of that year's tournament. All three players earned a spot on the 2017 All-Tournament Team.

At the time, Correa called the 2017 WBC "the most fun I've ever had playing baseball."

Biggest games in country history

There are a few legitimate contenders here, from the time that Puerto Rico denied Japan a three-peat in the 2013 WBC semifinals to the combined eight-inning perfect game against Israel in the 2023 tournament. But we'll give the honor to Puerto Rico's 11-inning walk-off win over the Netherlands in the 2017 WBC, which clinched a berth in the championship game.

Correa and T.J. Rivera provided early offense via the long ball, while three relievers -- Alex Claudio, Joe Colón and Díaz -- kept the opposition at bay by combining for five scoreless innings. That paved the way for Eddie Rosario to play hero in the 11th inning, lofting a fly ball to center field that sent Correa home from third with the winning run.

Notable MLB Names

Eight-time MLB All-Star Nolan Arenado is set to make his debut for Puerto Rico, switching sides after suiting up for Team USA in 2017 and 2023. Christian Vázquez, Martín Maldonado and Rosario are among the holdovers from previous tournaments.

Díaz anchors a pitching staff that includes a pair of former teammates -- Seth Lugo and Jorge López -- along with righty Fernando Cruz, who figures to be the go-to eighth-inning man in a talented bullpen.

Minor League prospects on the team

Keep an eye on right-hander Elmer Rodríguez, who could play an outsized role on a roster lacking experienced starting pitchers. Rodríguez, 22, is ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 82 overall prospect, and the third-best prospect in the Yankees organization. He pitched to a 2.58 ERA with 176 strikeouts in 150 innings across three levels of the Minors in 2025, recording the second most strikeouts in the Minor Leagues last season.

Story to watch

It has to be Díaz, who is set for his triumphant return to the tournament following a devastating knee injury in 2023. The All-Star closer told ESPN's Alden Gonzalez that the decision to participate in this year's tournament was "easy," in part because of the opportunity to play in Puerto Rico during pool play. Whereas Díaz's injury dampened Puerto Rico's spirits in the last WBC, his return should energize the squad entering this year's event. Díaz has allowed two runs across 7 1/3 innings with 13 strikeouts in his World Baseball Classic career, competing in 2017 and 2023.

Question marks

We'll see how skipper Yadier Molina configures his infield, without the national team's usual collection of All-Stars. Edwin Arroyo, a 22-year-old shortstop in the Reds organization, is yet to make his MLB debut. Luis Vázquez (Orioles) and Darrel Hernaiz (Athletics) have combined for 355 Major League at-bats. Each player will have the opportunity to make a name for himself on a global stage as Puerto Rico hopes to cobble together enough offense to make a legitimate run.