3 Phillies players whose WBC honors could cost them Opening Day jobs

Despite Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, declaring six more weeks of winter, spring is starting to peek from under the ice and snow, with baseball at the forefront of the warm push ahead. The Philadelphia Phillies' truck has been packed, pitchers and catchers will be reporting soon, and spring training baseball is right around the corner.

While the team continues to deny allegations that they are "running it back" this season, the Phillies will see some of their stars, as well as some of the fringe players, leave the sunshine of Clearwater for the global stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Sure, there's no question of where players like Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber will be playing come Opening Day. But others who are choosing to honor their country or their heritage in the WBC could, in turn, see their position on the Phillies' major league roster fly out the window.

Here are 3 Phillies players whose decision to play in the World Baseball Classic could cost them Opening Day jobs

Garrett Stubbs, C

Back in 2023, when Phillies backup catcher Garrett Stubbs played for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, his position within the Phillies organization was a little more secure. He provided a strong presence in the clubhouse and an occasional clutch at-bat.

However, the Phillies were torn last spring between their Chief Vibes Officer and Rafael Marchán, who was chosen to back up J.T. Realmuto. After a successful 2025 campaign, it seems the younger Marchán has the edge on Stubbs going into 2026. But with how loyal the Phillies seem to be to the 32-year-old Stubbs, after bringing him back as a September call-up last year, stranger players have made the Opening Day roster.

With neither catcher having a minor league option remaining, the decision of who will rank second in command behind home plate could be determined through spring training performance. With Marchán staying in camp and Stubbs heading to the WBC for an extended stretch, the veteran might be the one being designated for assignment in late March.

Max Lazar, RHP

Another Team Israel member, right-handed reliever Max Lazar. Despite being on the 40-man roster and some promising moments in 2024 and the latter half of 2025, Lazar is no stranger to the spring training yips, which resulted in him getting assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to begin last season. 

He was recalled in May last year and provided a few solid relief appearances but remains a low-leverage option. Regardless, he’s choosing to leave spring training, where he would be fighting for his spot in the major league bullpen, which seems to be the team’s only area of improvement this offseason. 

Lazar went 1-1 with an ERA of 4.79 in 41 innings in 2025. After a rocky start to 2025, he could very well see himself following a similar fate this season spring, getting optioned to Lehigh Valley once again.

Johan Rojas, OF

After the Phillies' minimal work on the outfield this offseason, Johan Rojas has a chance to make the Opening Day roster, even as a reserve bench player. However, despite his elite-level speed and above-average defense Rojas is choosing to depart from the Phillies’ camp, where he would be competing with Justin Crawford for everyday reps in center field, to play for Team Dominican Republic.

In 2025, Rojas batted just .224 with one home run and 18 RBIs and found himself demoted to Triple-A in June. With one of the team’s most promising offensive prospects in Crawford waiting in the wings, Rojas’s choice to play in the WBC is a bold one, with the likelihood that he'll quickly get eclipsed by Crawford, who many are projecting to be the team’s everyday center fielder.

Rojas will be in tough company as he leaves the opportunity of getting everyday at-bats with the Phillies to compete for playing time in the WBC with Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Julio Rodríguez, and Oneil Cruz.