With the 2026 World Baseball Classic less than a month away, exciting developments are emerging even as questions surround Puerto Rico’s participation. On February 10, Luis Castillo of the Dominican Republic, José Berríos representing Puerto Rico, and Jesús Luzardo from Venezuela were officially named to the Designated Pitcher Pool (DPP), a crucial roster resource for the tournament.
The DPP allows teams to substitute pitchers during the early rounds and quarterfinals, providing a strategic edge to squads navigating the high-pressure format. This addition gives major teams flexibility ahead of the event starting March 5 and concluding March 17.
Recent Performances of Castillo, Berríos, and Luzardo Highlight Their Value
Luis Castillo enters the competition fresh off a solid season with the Seattle Mariners, finishing 11-8 with a 3.54 ERA and 162 strikeouts. His career numbers underscore his elite status: a three-time All-Star, Castillo has accumulated 1,493 strikeouts along with an 84-84 record and 3.55 ERA, having pitched for both the Mariners and Texas Rangers.
José Berríos had a productive year with the Toronto Blue Jays, the American League champions, posting a 9-5 record and 4.17 ERA. Meanwhile, Jesús Luzardo contributed significantly to the Philadelphia Phillies’ rotation, completing the season with a 15-7 record and a 3.92 ERA.
Castillo’s Postseason Experience Adds Depth to the Dominican Team
Notably, Castillo started in the American League Division Series last fall against the Detroit Tigers, maintaining a postseason ERA of 3.24. His ability to perform under playoff pressure offers the Dominican squad an important asset in their WBC bid.
In addition to pitching reinforcements, the Dominican Republic has also bolstered its lineup by adding power hitter Carlos Santana to their roster, intensifying their offensive threat.
Context and Stakes for Participating Nations
The upcoming Classic marks the first tournament since 2023, when Japan claimed the championship. Historically, Puerto Rico has been a strong contender, finishing as runner-up twice in 2013 and 2017, though its 2026 status remains uncertain. The Dominican Republic boasts an untarnished reputation after sweeping the 2013 Classic with an 8-0 record. Venezuela’s best performance came in 2009, securing fifth place.
As teams finalize their rosters and prepare for the intense competition ahead, the addition of Castillo, Berríos, and Luzardo to the designated pitcher pool underscores the tournament’s high stakes and the depth of talent on display.
Luis Castillo (Dominican Republic), José Berríos (Puerto Rico), and Jesús Luzardo (Venezuela) are among the players added to the Designated Pitcher Pool (DPP) for the #WorldBaseballClassic. Teams are allowed to make replacements from their DPP after the first round and the… pic.twitter.com/Ylv5KzHsG4
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 10, 2026
Luis Castillo (Dominican Republic), José Berríos (Puerto Rico), and Jesús Luzardo (Venezuela) are among the players added to the Designated Pitcher Pool (DPP) for the #WorldBaseballClassic.
Teams are allowed to make replacements from their DPP after the first round and the… pic.twitter.com/Ylv5KzHsG4
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 10, 2026
