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
