For the WBC, players who are eligible for citizenship of a country are eligible to represent it in the tournament, regardless of their actual citizenship status.<\/p>\n
In Israel\u2019s case, that typically includes mostly American Jews \u2014 and occasionally those married to American Jews \u2014 who are eligible for Israeli citizenship under the country\u2019s Law of Return. Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman, perhaps the biggest Jewish star in baseball, is instead playing for the US team.<\/p>\n
\t Brad Ausmus, the New York Yankees bench coach (who held that same role for Israel last time), will manage Team Israel next month. He managed Israel in the 2013 WBC qualifiers, in which Israel narrowly missed out on the tournament. Longtime big leaguers Kevin Youkilis (bench coach), Mark Loretta (third base coach) and Jason Marquis (bullpen coach) will join Ausmus\u2019s staff.<\/p>\n Some previous Team Israel players have forgone affiliation this year \u2014 most notably\u00a0Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson.<\/p>\n Simon Rosenbaum, who previously played for Team Israel and now serves as its general manager, said building the team is \u201calways a rollercoaster ride.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re excited about the team we\u2019ve been able to put together, especially because of how much more interest we\u2019ve gotten from players talking to each other about their past experience playing with us,\u201d said Rosenbaum, who also serves as the director of baseball development for the Tampa Bay Rays. \u201cWe look forward to competing in a challenging pool and hope that we\u2019re a team our fans can be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n Here is the full roster<\/a> (asterisk denotes returning Team Israel member):<\/p>\n Pitchers: Charlie Beilenson, Josh Blum, Matt Bowman, Harrison Cohen, Daniel Federman*, Jordan Geber, Tommy Kahnle, Rob Kaminsky*, Dean Kremer*, Max Lazar, Carlos Lequerica, Josh Mallitz, Eli Morgan, Ryan Prager, Ben Simon, Robert Stock*, Zack Weiss*<\/p>\n Infielders: Cole Carigg, Jake Gelof, Spencer Horwitz*, Assaf Lowengart*, Noah Mendlinger*, Matt Mervis*, Benjamin Rosengard, C.J. Stubbs*, Garrett Stubbs*<\/p>\n Outfielders: Harrison Bader, Troy Johnston, Zach Levenson, RJ Schreck<\/p>\n Israel is competing in Pool D in Miami. After exhibition games against the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets, here is the team\u2019s schedule for the first round (all times ET):\n<\/p>\n March 7 (7 p.m.): Israel vs. Venezuela
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\n\t\tL-R: Team Israel at the 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to include Harrison Bader, Dean Kremer and Garrett Stubbs. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\nMarch 8 (7 p.m.): Nicaragua vs. Israel
\nMarch 9 (12 p.m.): Dominican Republic vs. Israel
\nMarch 10 (7 p.m.): Israel vs. Netherlands<\/p>\n
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