Dominican Diamondbacks eager to put home country back on top at World Baseball Classic

SCOTTSDALE — The World Baseball Classic structure is set up for a potential rematch in the final. If the United States and Japan win their respective pools, quarterfinal and semifinal matchups, they will meet again in the championship game, where Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to claim the title for Japan in 2023.

The United States is the betting favorite this time around with a revamped roster, while Japan possesses the next best odds.

The Dominican Republic, out for redemption after 2023 shortcomings, is not to be overlooked in that narrative. Team D.R. has built a team capable of spoiling the anticipated sequel with the most Arizona Diamondbacks players in the tournament: shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, second baseman Ketel Marte and first baseman Carlos Santana.

“The way they put out the schedule, it seems like — I don’t want to sound sarcastic like that — but it seems like they want the U.S. and Japan to face off again,” Perdomo told Arizona Sports. “We’re going to be ready, we’re going to be ready to compete.”

The three Dominican Diamondbacks left spring training and joined the national team on Friday. The Dominican Republic will play two exhibition games in Santo Domingo against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday and Wednesday before its first WBC game on Friday against Nicaragua in Miami.

Perdomo is playing in his first career WBC, which he called a dream to participate in, and Marte in his second.

The 39-year-old Santana is the lone player on the current roster part of the 2013 team that won the World Baseball Classic. Santana was the starting catcher for that squad, which ran the table with an 8-0 tournament led by MVP Robinson Cano.

“It was one of the best moments in my career,” Santana said. “When you represent the D.R. and you have the support of that country, fans, everybody, we had a big, big moment.”

Dominican Diamondbacks look to get back on top

The Dominican Republic, United States and Japan are the only teams that have won the WBC, which debuted in 2006. Japan earned three of the first five titles.

The D.R. was the tournament’s greatest disappointment in 2023, as it failed to advance past the group stage after losses to Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

This Dominican roster is even better with nine position players who received MVP votes just last season: Perdomo, Marte, Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Junior Caminero, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jeremy Peña.

The pitching staff is spearheaded by Phillies ace Christopher Sanchez and 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. Diamondbacks bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda will serve as the pitching coach.

Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols is the manager and longtime slugger Nelson Cruz the general manager. Perdomo and Marte both expressed on how excited they were to join that many stars.

The star power in this pic 🤩🇩🇴

Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Team Dominican Republic squad are ready for the #WorldBaseballClassic!

(via Tatis/IG) pic.twitter.com/wzyqFPr796

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 28, 2026

Perdomo said his role won’t change, that his job will be to work counts and get on base for the big bats behind him after a breakout campaign for the D-backs. Santana is more of a veteran presence off the bench, while Marte can slot in anywhere as a switch-hitting slugger.

“I can’t wait to be with All-Stars over there representing our country,” Marte said. “I’m just going to enjoy it, do the best I can and try to help Dominican team to get the win.”

Baseball is the king sport in the Dominican Republic by far.

Winter league stadiums fill up, blaring with chants and instruments which players have compared to a postseason atmosphere. Hall of famers Adrian Beltre, Vladimir Guerrero, Juan Marichal and Pedro Martinez grew up there, and thousands of teenagers attend baseball academies with the dream to go pro.

The three Dominican Diamondbacks feel that sense of responsibility to represent the island nation obsessed with baseball, as this is the game’s largest active international stage.

“It’s important, we have a lot of pressure on ourselves, we have a lot of people watching us and we’re ready,” Perdomo said. “We’re ready to put on a really good show for the people that love it.”

“When you represent the country, especially in the WBC, it’s like a World Series,” Santana said. “We have a big responsibility to represent the D.R., especially since baseball is No. 1. … When you come back, I think you’re ready to go to into the season.”

Manny Machado, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Fernando Tatis Jr y Geraldo Perdomo 🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/8ZVPMVzw6w

— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) March 1, 2026

WBC seen as aid for Diamondbacks infielders to prepare for season

The Diamondbacks have supported the ambitions of their players going to the WBC, as the club will be represented on Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Taiwan and Great Britain.

Corbin Carroll was picked to play for Team USA, but a broken hamate bone this spring ended those plans. No Diamondbacks players will represent the U.S. in the WBC for the first time since 2009.

Arizona expects three infielders sticking together in the tournament to be a benefit. Perdomo and Marte have years of chemistry built up, which not only helps the national team’s sharpness up the middle but prepares the players for the regular season in a more competitive setting.

Santana is a new addition to Arizona, and reps are valuable to get everyone on the same page, particularly with Arizona’s emphasis on defense this spring. The Diamondbacks allowed Santana to participate without insurance after he signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the club, as insurance complications have impacted several teams in the tournament, most notably Puerto Rico.

“I think given that they’re all infielders is great,” general manager Mike Hazen said. “Them getting to work with each other is important. … I like the tournament. I think it adds a lot in a spring training environment that can be a little sterile at times. Given guys are just trying to get work in and things like that, that adds another layer to the competitive nature of it, and I’m excited to watch them go play.”

The Dominican Republic plays in Pool D with Venezuela, Nicaragua, Israel and the Netherlands.

If the D.R. wins its group and quarterfinal matchup, and the U.S. does the same as expected, the two titans could meet in the semifinals on March 15. If the Dominican Republic finishes second in its group, it could face the defending champion Japanese squad in the quarterfinals.

Marte, Perdomo and Santana will take on Detroit from Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal at 4:05 p.m. MST on Tuesday.

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