Edwin Diaz will wear the Puerto Rican uniform again in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, three years after one of the most shocking injuries in the tournament's history. The star closer, currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was confirmed this Monday as part of the Puerto Rican roster, marking his return to the international stage after a long process of recovery and athletic development. The news comes after Diaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers during the offseason, becoming a key piece of the Los Angeles bullpen. His inclusion represents a significant boost for Puerto Rico, which will seek to compete again at the highest level in the tournament to be held in March 2026. Diaz has not participated in the World Baseball Classic since the 2023 edition, when he suffered a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee during the celebration after the victory against the Dominican Republic in the group stage. That injury occurred off the field, while the team was celebrating their advancement to the quarterfinals, where Puerto Rico was eliminated by Mexico. At that time, Diaz was a player for the New York Mets, and the injury forced him to miss the entire 2023 Major League Baseball season.

A Sporting Return and a Roster with Contrasts

The road back wasn't immediate. After an inconsistent return in 2024, Edwin Diaz rediscovered his best form in the 2025 season, posting one of the strongest years of his career. He finished the season with a 1.63 ERA, 28 saves, and 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings pitched, numbers that earned him his third Reliever of the Year award, his second in the National League. That performance was key to his decision to opt out of his contract with the Mets and try free agency again.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be the third in Diaz's career. He participated in previous editions and returns now as one of the team's most experienced pitchers. Alongside him, Also confirmed was San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos, who will be making his tournament debut. Ramos, 26, has hit over 20 home runs in each of the last two seasons and was selected to the All-Star Game in 2014.His MLB career slash line is .255/.319/.418 in 312 games. However, the outlook isn't entirely positive for the team managed again by Yadier Molina. In a matter of days, Puerto Rico received confirmation that several key players will be unable to participate in the tournament after failing to meet insurance protocols or due to physical reasons. Among the confirmed absences are Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Kike Hernandez, Jovani Moran, Emilio Pagan, Alexis Diaz, Jose Berrios, Yacksel Rios, and Victor Caratini. Even with these absences, the presence of Edwin Diaz brings optimism back to a team that will seek to balance experience and new faces in a tournament that, once again, promises to be one of the most followed events on the international baseball calendar.