The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to begin on March 4, 2026. The excitement has been building and the tournament looks to be even better than the 2023 version when Team USA fell to Japan in the championship. The rosters are taking shape, being flooded with exceptional MLB talent, but Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran has opted out of playing for Team Dominican Republic.
His reason? He's aiming to get in shape for the 2026 regular season, per La UCA Deportes.
“Sources close to EL Novato Sports confirmed to us that the Dominican closer for the Phillies Jhoan Duran will take some time to get in shape, which will prevent him from participating for RD in the 2026 World Baseball Classic,” La UCA Deportes reported (via translation) on X.
Every team is loading up for one of the most exciting international tournaments that baseball has. It's surprising when a player of Duran's caliber passes on the opportunity to play in an environment like the WBC.
Phillies fans won't complain if Jhoan Duran skips the 2026 WBC to prepare for the season
It would be awesome for Phillies fans to see another top-tier representative in addition to Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. However, the idea that he wants to get himself ready for the Phillies' season is perhaps far more important for himself and the team, rather than throwing high-stress innings in mid-March.
Duran was electric for the Phillies after being acquired on July 30. He gave the Phillies the juice they had been missing from the back end of the bullpen. He was lights out when he entered ball games, and his signature entrance and light show were the cherry on top of an amazing deal the Phillies made to acquire the Dominican closer from the Minnesota Twins.
Jhoan Duran entering the game for the first time as a Phillie at Citizens Bank Park was CINEMA pic.twitter.com/0lLFLoi8JY
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 2, 2025
This upcoming 2026 campaign will be Duran's first full season with the Phillies. The soon-to-be 28-year-old is a special talent, from leading all qualified relievers in ground ball rate in 2025 at 65 percent to blowing hitters away with his 100 mph fastball.
Between the Twins and Phillies, he finished 2025 with a 7-6 record, 2.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 80 strikeouts in 70 innings. He also finished with 32 saves, the fifth most in baseball. Following the trade deadline, he racked up 16 saves, which was the second-most in the majors over that span.
If Duran needs more time to prepare and be ready for the long season, who are the Phillies to question his approach? That just means more time with the Phillies' trainers and pitching staff. Nobody can be mad at seeing Duran put himself in a position to possibly be even better in 2026.