Mar 18, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) reacts after hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning against Venezuela at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Sam Navarro
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Trea Turner would have loved to suit up for the stars and stripes in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but said he never got the opportunity.
Three years after he was the top performer in the tournament not named Shohei Ohtani, Turner was asked if he was disappointed not to be returning for Team USA in next month's tournament.
"Uh, I don't know if it was disappointed. It's something I want to do. Phone never rang," Turner said Monday.
On one hand, it is surprising that Turner didn't get the opportunity to return for Team USA considering he's coming off of a fifth-place finish in NL MVP voting and hit .391 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in six games during the 2023 WBC.
On the other hand, Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson have been two of the game's best overall players since the last WBC, so it's hard to fault Team USA for picking them to be the two shortstops on the roster.
Trea Turner said he would have been interested in playing for Team USA again in the World Baseball Classic, but “phone never rang.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/gxflYUI8iW
There probably should have been a call to Turner from returning manager Mark DeRosa or another representative from Team USA, but the decision isn't shocking.
Three of Turner's teammates — Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Brad Keller — will suit up for Team USA. Turner says he'll still be rooting for the United States, and is hopeful all of his Phillies teammates participating in the tournament set to run from March 5-17 enjoy it as much as he did in 2023.
"I wish those guys the best," Turner said. "I think it's so much fun. I gladly would have done it again. I said it last time, if they ever ask, I would say yes. They got a great roster this year, stacked. So I think we're in a good spot to win. I definitely will be watching it. And I wish Kyle [Schwarber] and Bryce [Harper] and all these guys ... [Edmundo] Sosa, everyone playing ... I hope they perform well for their countries. It's a lot of fun."
