Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will represent the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, manager Albert Pujols confirmed on Monday.
This will mark Guerrero’s first appearance at the World Baseball Classic, after the superstar was forced to pull out of the 2023 edition of the tournament when he suffered a knee injury during Spring Training with the Blue Jays.
Guerrero, who was born in Montreal while his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., played for the Expos, grew up in the Dominican Republic.
Guerrero is coming off a historic campaign with the Blue Jays. In April, the 26-year-old slugger signed a 14-year deal worth $500 million to become the face of the franchise.
Through the season, the seventh-year player hit .292 with 23 home runs and 84 runs batted in.
Guerrero truly shone in the postseason though. Across 18 games, Guerrero helped the Blue Jays to Game 7 of the World Series by hitting .397 with eight home runs and 15 RBI. He was named American League Championship Series MVP against the Seattle Mariners and set a club record for home runs in a single postseason.
The World Baseball Classic begins on March 5, 2026.
