Devers, Valdez commit to World Baseball Classic for D.R.

San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers. Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Rafael Devers, Framber Valdez commit to World Baseball Classic for D.R.

By Aaron Somers | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 8:17 AM ET

Next spring's World Baseball Classic may prove to be one of the most highly anticipated events baseball has seen in some time.

Although assembling the rosters that will represent the 20 countries involved in the tournament is still a long way off, many players have started committing to their participation.

Coming into the 2023 WBC, the Dominican Republic looked to have a stacked roster and was a potential favorite. However, it faltered and failed to advance out of pool play, dropping its first two games to Venezuela and Puerto Rico before beating Israel and Nicaragua.

New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto was the first to commit to playing for his home country. On Sunday, a pair of teammates joined him, as both San Francisco Giants infielder Rafael Devers and Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez confirmed their intent to participate.

Rafael Devers will play for the DR in the 2026 World Baseball Classic
— Talkin’ Baseball (Bot) (@talkinbaseballbot.bsky.social) 2025-06-29T21:07:31.000Z

Soto and Devers were both a part of that 2023 roster. Soto was 6-for-15 with three doubles and a pair of home runs in the tournament. Devers was just 2-for-16.

Devers, now 28, is hitting a combined .264/.392/.487 (147 OPS+) with 20 doubles and 17 homers across 383 PA this year with the Boston Red Sox and Giants.

For the 31-year-old Valdez, this will be his first appearance with the D.R.'s national team at the WBC. This year, he is 9-4 with a 2.72 ERA over 109.0 IP (including a league-high two complete games). The southpaw has been one of the most consistent pitchers the Astros have rostered in the last few seasons, but is facing free agency this offseason. It is unclear how interested Houston may be in retaining him long-term.

Pool play for the WBC will begin on March 5-6 across four locations (Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Houston and Miami). The WBC Finals are scheduled for March 17 in Miami.

Aaron Somers

Aaron Somers has more than a decade of experience writing about sports and has been published in numerous outlets, but baseball is and has always been his biggest passion. You can follow him on BlueSky, @AaronJSomers.

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