The D-Backs players competing in the World Baseball Classic will get game reps early in Spring Training

The Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t wasting any time putting the big names on the field early in their Spring Training schedule. According to manager Torey Lovullo, many of the projected regular season starters will be in the lineup for Arizona’s Cactus League opener against the Colorado Rockies on Friday. 

With a dozen D-Backs players set to represent their countries in the 2026 World Baseball Classic at the beginning of March, Lovullo is making sure those players get the game reps they need to prepare.

“Normally they wouldn’t be, but I’m trying to fast forward this as much as possible because the entire infield is going to play in the WBC, so I want to get them on the field,” Lovullo said Thursday. “I wouldn’t be playing [Alek Thomas] in the outfield tomorrow, but I’m going to, so he can get ready for Team Mexico.”

Some of the biggest stars in the D-Backs clubhouse will be chasing a WBC championship before attempting to make a run at the World Series this year. Third baseman Nolan Arenado will be playing for Puerto Rico, while most of the infield – Carlos Santana, Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte – will be representing the Dominican Republic.

“I’m excited. I try to help, you know? This is the second time to Marte, the second time to Perdomo. Perdomo is excited for that,” Santana said. “He asked me too many questions for that and I say, ‘Hey, try to have fun!’ It’s to represent your country.”

This will be Santana’s third WBC with the Dominican Republic. The 39-year-old played a key role as catcher for the D.R. team that won it all in 2013. 

The first WBC was held in 2006 and the international tournament, which happens every four years, features the biggest stars in Major League Baseball. Japan has won three of the last five tournaments, most recently beating the United States in 2023. Arizona’s All-Star outfielder Corbin Carroll will miss out on the opportunity to represent the U.S. in the WBC after undergoing surgery on his hand on February 11. 

Recovery is expected to be around six weeks, with the hope that Carroll will be ready for Opening Day against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 26.

“Very disappointed. It was something I was really looking forward to. Spending time with such quality players and getting to represent the country obviously would’ve been one of the biggest honors of my career,” Carroll said. “Definitely bummed to miss it but, at the same time, I’m happy this [injury] isn’t happening midseason, and I miss a bunch of games.”

The players within the D-Backs organization competing in the WBC will represent eight different countries, including Canada, Chinese Taipei, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Venezuela. One of Arizona’s free agency additions, Michael Soroka, will be pitching for the Canadian team. The Calgary native anticipates more parity with elite MLB players vying for a gold medal but he’s looking forward to potentially facing his D-Backs teammates on the world stage.

“It’ll be a lot of fun to see them on the other side then get to play with them all year,” Soroka said. “It kind of used to be a two-country competition between the States and the Dominican a little bit. Now Venezuela and Japan are bringing it to it. The Canadian team, I think we’re as strong as we’ve ever been, too.”

Players will begin reporting to the WBC next weekend, with the tournament beginning on March 5 at the Tokyo Dome. Other pools, located in Houston, San Juan and Miami, will start on March 6. The WBC Championship will be held in Miami on March 17.

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