LB in MLB: Trio of Dirtbags Selected for World Baseball Classic The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 4 to 17, featuring top international talent competing in the global tournament. Three former Long Beach State players have been selected to represent different nations in the event. Outfielder Jarren Duran will play for Team Mexico, infielder Jonathon Long is set to compete for Chinese Taipei, and right-handed pitcher Vance Worley will represent Great Britain. Duran, 29, is an established MLB All-Star with the Boston Red Sox and will make his second appearance in the WBC. After limited playing time in 2023, he is expected to be a key contributor this year. Duran has shown strong performance in Spring Training, hitting .583 with three home runs in 12 at-bats during Grapefruit League games. Long, 24, is a top prospect for the Chicago Cubs but will miss the WBC after suffering an elbow sprain during a collision at first base. The injury forced him to withdraw from the competition, as he prioritized recovery ahead of the upcoming MLB season. “It just didn’t make sense to fly across the world unsure if I could swing a bat,” Long said, emphasizing the importance of being fully healthy for the regular season. Worley, 38, is making his second WBC appearance for Great Britain and will serve as one of the team’s veteran pitchers. The right-hander, who last played in MLB with the Miami Marlins in 2017, has had a long career spanning five organizations. Long Beach State head coach TJ Bruce praised Worley’s competitiveness and professionalism, recalling his time with the Dirtbags. Great Britain’s WBC campaign begins on March 6 with a Pool B opener against Mexico at Daikin Park in Houston. Meanwhile, other Long Beach State alumni have made offseason moves.#world_baseball_classic #jarren_duran #long_beach_state #jonathon_long #vance_worley
World Baseball Classic: Why is Taijuan Walker playing for Mexico? Taijuan Walker, a starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, is representing Mexico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic despite being born in Louisiana. His decision to play for Mexico stems from his maternal heritage, as his mother, Nellie Garcia, is of Mexican descent. Under World Baseball Classic rules, players can represent a country if they have a parent of that nationality, even if they were born elsewhere. This eligibility mirrors the case of Jarren Duran, who also plays for Mexico despite being born in the U.S. Walker previously competed for Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, showcasing his experience on the international stage. His inclusion in the 2026 tournament follows a strong performance in the 2025 MLB season with the Phillies, where he posted a 4.08 ERA in 34 games. His return to the Mexican national team highlights his continued commitment to representing his heritage on the global baseball stage. Mexico’s roster includes several players with U.S. roots, many of whom qualify through family ties. Randy Arozarena, for example, does not have Mexican parents but has played for the country in the tournament after opportunities in Mexico during his career. Alek Thomas, another U.S.-born player, also qualifies due to his mother’s Mexican heritage, similar to Walker and Alex Carrillo. The 2026 World Baseball Classic features 14 U.S.-born players on Mexico’s roster, some of whom are making their debut in the tournament while others, like Walker, are returning for a second appearance. This mix of talent underscores the depth of Mexico’s baseball program and the growing presence of players with U.S. ties in international competition.#world_baseball_classic #jarren_duran #taijuan_walker #philadelphia_phillies #nellie_garcia
How Red Sox's Jarren Duran Described World Baseball Classic Experience Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is competing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. The 29-year-old player joined a group of Red Sox teammates making an early impact in the tournament after hitting a home run in Mexico’s 16-0 victory over Brazil. Following the game, Duran shared his thoughts with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi about the electric atmosphere at Daikin Park in Houston. A large crowd of Mexico fans filled the venue, creating a buzz that Duran described as more intense than the postseason series between the Red Sox and Yankees in October 2025. “You can’t describe it. You have to be here to witness it, but it’s one of the loudest crowds I’ve been a part of,” he said. “I got to play in the playoffs last year, and it doesn’t even come close to this.” Duran’s performance in spring training prior to the WBC included three home runs and two doubles across five games. He also went hitless in an 8-2 win over Great Britain, though he drew a walk and stole a base from the leadoff position. On Sunday, he contributed two RBIs in a 2-for-3 effort. After hitting his home run, Duran expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for Mexico. “I feel like I haven’t done much for this team, and I didn’t do much in the last WBC, but it meant a lot to me,” he said. “I was trying not to smile too much, but it means a lot to me to be able to do that for these fans.” Duran, who was born in California, emphasized his pride in honoring his father’s Mexican heritage. “When I hit that homer, the first thing I thought of was my dad and his family, and how I can represent the,” he said. “And I know they’re going crazy for me back home, so it means a lot to me.#world_baseball_classic #boston_red_sox #daikin_park #jarren_duran #roman_anthony
