Seth Lugo To Represent Puerto Rico In 2026 World Baseball Classic
Royals pitcher commits to international duty as Puerto Rico seeks WBC glory in next edition.
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The Kansas City Royals have announced that pitcher Seth Lugo will represent Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The team shared the news via their official Instagram account, confirming Lugo’s commitment to his heritage on the international stage.
In the post, the Royals shared an image of Lugo in his Kansas City uniform with the caption: “Ready to represent. Seth Lugo has announced that he will pitch for Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic!”
This will not be Lugo’s first time representing Puerto Rico in international competition. The right-handed pitcher previously donned the Puerto Rican national team uniform in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where Puerto Rico finished as runners-up after falling to the United States in the championship game.
The announcement comes early in the preparation cycle for the 2026 tournament, showing Lugo’s enthusiasm and dedication to representing his heritage. The World Baseball Classic, held every few years, brings together the best baseball talent from around the world to compete for their respective countries.
The Kansas City Royals organization has shown support for their players participating in international competitions, recognizing the honor and significance of representing one’s country or heritage on a global stage. The club’s public announcement of Lugo’s commitment highlights this support.
Lugo joined the Royals prior to the 2024 season after signing a three-year contract worth $45 million. The deal includes a mutual option for 2027. The 34-year-old pitcher has been a valuable addition to Kansas City’s rotation, bringing veteran experience and skill to the club.
The announcement comes during a positive period for the Kansas City Royals. The team has been performing well in recent games, as evidenced by several of their recent social media posts celebrating victories and team camaraderie.
The Royals have also been active in community engagement, as seen with their Easter post wishing fans a happy holiday, and their tribute to Jackie Robinson with players proudly wearing his number 42 jersey to honor his legacy.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will hold special significance as it coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence, with games expected to be played in various locations including the United States.
For Lugo, the tournament represents an opportunity to continue his international career and potentially help Puerto Rico go one step further than their 2017 runner-up finish. Puerto Rico has historically fielded competitive teams in the WBC, with a rich baseball tradition and numerous MLB stars eligible to represent the island.
The Kansas City Royals, established in 1969 as an expansion team, have a history of supporting international baseball and seeing their players compete on the world stage. The franchise has won two World Series championships (1985 and 2015) and continues to build toward future success with players like Lugo forming an important part of their plans.
As preparations for the 2026 World Baseball Classic continue to take shape over the coming years, Lugo’s early commitment signals his pride in his heritage and his desire to represent Puerto Rico at the highest level of international competition.
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