Royals’ All-Star Pitcher Reveals 2026 WBC Plans

 "Are you ready to put Puerto Rico name on your jersey again in 2026?," Baerga asked Lugo. 

"Absolutely. Can't wait." the Royals' star responded. "That's going to be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to it." 

Lugo last pitched for Team Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, winning a Silver Medal. He was notably the starting pitcher against Team USA in the 2017 WBC Championship game, surrendering four earned runs and striking out seven in the 8-0 defeat. 

He was not on Puerto Rico's roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. 

A 34th-round selection by the New York Mets in 2011, Lugo has compiled a 57-43 career record in nine-plus major league seasons. 

Last season - his first with the Royals - Lugo went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across a career-high 206 and two-thirds innings. As a result, he finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting to Detroit Tigers' southpaw Tarik Skubal. Royals teammate Cole Ragans finished fourth. 

This season, Lugo is off to another solid start despite a dip in production from Kansas City's offense. In five starts, the 35-year-old hurler is 1-3 with a 3.90 ERA and 21 strikeouts. 

Lugo is projected to make his next start on Friday, April 25 when the Royals welcome the Houston Astros to Kauffman Stadium.