The Cleveland Guardians are preparing for the 2026 season with a significant focus on their young players, especially as several of them, including Bo Naylor and Travis Bazzana, will participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC). Manager Stephen Vogt confirmed that Bazzana, a non-roster invitee, will be given extensive playing time early in spring training to prepare for the international tournament where he and other Guardians representatives will compete for their countries.
Travis Bazzana Embraces Spot on Team Australia
Travis Bazzana views the World Baseball Classic as an opportunity to play in a high-level, competitive environment. Despite an injury-plagued 2024 season, including time lost to two oblique injuries, Bazzana enters spring training fully healthy and eager to represent Australia on the world stage. His involvement not only reflects his country’s growing presence in baseball but also positions him as one of Australia’s most prominent players.
Bazzana acknowledged the importance of the tournament and the intensity it brings, saying,
“It’s always something I’ve looked to do in my career. Play against some of the best players in the world in a playoff environment in packed houses. It’s only a short amount of games. Four or maybe more. Every game matters. Every pitch matters. It means a lot, and I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time.”
?Travis Bazzana, Guardians outfielder
Serving as a leader for Australia, Bazzana understands the pressure but welcomes the challenge, especially as he has established a strong role model in teammate José Ramírez. This experience is expected to prepare him for future playoff scenarios with Cleveland, where he hopes to contribute significantly.
Reflecting on these moments, Bazzana shared,
“Any opportunity you get to play in a packed house, or a win or go home game is a challenge. The moments people have to step up in, so when the Guardians make the playoffs, future environments I have to be familiar with, so any chance I get is exciting.”
?Travis Bazzana, Guardians outfielder
Additional Guardians Players Shine in World Baseball Classic
Travis Bazzana won’t be the only player from the Guardians organization participating in the WBC. Stuart Fairchild, another non-roster invitee and right-handed outfielder, will represent Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in Pool C alongside Australia. Like Bazzana, Fairchild will receive considerable playing time early in camp before traveling to Japan for the tournament.
Bo Naylor, a starting catcher for the Guardians, will once again don the Canadian uniform during the Classic. His participation means Cleveland will be without its primary catcher for several weeks of spring training. Joining Naylor on Team Canada’s pitching staff is minor-league pitcher Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson, marking his first appearance in the WBC.
Other Guardians major-league players also competing include Logan Allen, who will join Team Panama competing in Pool A, and Dayan Frias, re-signed to a minor-league deal, playing shortstop for Team Colombia. Frias was the starting shortstop for Colombia in the 2023 Classic and looks to reprise that role.
Guardians’ Minor League Pitchers and Coaches Participate in Various National Teams
Beyond the major-league roster, several Guardians minor-league pitchers are involved with Team Italy, competing in Pool B in Texas alongside the United States. Dylan DeLucia, known for his College World Series success with Ole Miss and Midwest League championship with the Lake County Captains in 2024, joins fellow prospect Ryan Prager, a left-handed pitcher drafted in 2025 who debuted in the minors late last season.
The Guardians’ bullpen depth will also be represented internationally. Matt Festa, a reliable reliever anticipated to be part of the 2025 Cleveland bullpen, will pitch for Team Israel in Pool D, hosted in Miami. Brad Goldberg—the Guardians assistant pitching coach and Beachwood native—will contribute as Team Israel’s pitching coach during the Classic.
Guardians’ Coaching Staff Support National Teams at the Classic
The World Baseball Classic will also temporarily sideline two Guardians base coaches from spring training. Former Cleveland catcher Sandy Alomar, now serving as first base coach, will be on Team Puerto Rico’s coaching staff in Pool A. Meanwhile, third base coach Rouglas Odor will join Team Venezuela’s staff, which competes in Pool D.
World Baseball Classic Format and Forecast
The World Baseball Classic begins on March 5, 2026, with pool play extending through March 11. Each pool consists of four games, from which the top two teams advance. The championship game will be held in Miami on March 17, concluding the international tournament. The WBC offers players valuable exposure to competitive, high-pressure situations early in spring training, which could critically affect their momentum heading into the regular season.
For the Guardians, having multiple players and staff involved demonstrates the organization’s rising international profile and the expected emergence of its younger talent. The tournament will test these players’ readiness and may significantly influence their roles with Cleveland in 2026 and beyond.
