Yankees' Austin Wells to Play for Dominican Republic in World Baseball Classic

The catcher has qualified to represent the Dominican Republic despite not being born there.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 4:15pm

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New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells has been selected to play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. While Wells was born in Scottsdale, Arizona and attended high school in Las Vegas, he is eligible to represent the Dominican Republic due to his mother's Dominican heritage.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is a prestigious international baseball tournament that brings together the best players from around the world to represent their home countries or ancestral homelands. Wells' selection to play for the Dominican Republic highlights the diverse backgrounds of many professional baseball players and the global reach of the sport.

The details

Wells' mother, Michelle, is of Dominican descent, with both of her parents being from the Dominican Republic. This allows Wells, who was born in the United States, to qualify for the Dominican Republic's WBC roster under the tournament's eligibility rules. Wells attended the University of Arizona, where he met his father, Greg, who also played baseball for the school.

  • The World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place in 2026.

The players

Austin Wells

A catcher for the New York Yankees who has been selected to play for the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Michelle Wells

Austin Wells' mother, who is of Dominican descent and whose parents are both from the Dominican Republic.

Greg Wells

Austin Wells' father, who met his wife Michelle while they were both attending the University of Arizona.

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What they’re saying

“It's an honor to be able to represent the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic. I'm excited to play alongside some of the best players in the world and help bring home a championship for the Dominican fans.”

— Austin Wells

What’s next

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2026, with the exact dates and locations still to be determined by the tournament organizers.

The takeaway

Austin Wells' selection to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic is a testament to the global diversity of professional baseball and the sport's ability to bring together players from different backgrounds to represent their ancestral homelands on the international stage.