Back with Giants, Harrison Bader reflects on 'great' WBC experience with Team Israel

The San Francisco Giants wasted no time getting their new center fielder back in the lineup after his stint with Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:25am by Ben Kaplan

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After representing Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader is back with his MLB club and eager to get the regular season started. Bader, who hit .214 as Israel went 2-2 to qualify for the next WBC, said he appreciated the opportunity to represent his heritage but is happy to be back with the Giants and slide right back into his routine.

Why it matters

Bader's experience playing for Team Israel in the WBC highlights the growing popularity and significance of the international tournament, which allows players to represent their cultural and national backgrounds on the global stage. For the Giants, getting Bader back in the lineup quickly is crucial as they prepare for the upcoming MLB season.

The details

Bader was back in the Giants' lineup on Thursday, going 1-for-2 in a 3-3 tie with the White Sox. Giants manager Tony Vitello was eager to get Bader back on the field, saying 'Keeping him off the field is a tug of war' and that Bader 'wants to be out there as much as possible.' While Bader enjoyed his WBC experience, he admitted it was tough being away from his new MLB team for over a week and a half, saying 'I've never taken time off from spring training, so after the second or third day, it was kind of weighing on me a little bit.'

  • Bader played for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.
  • Bader returned to the Giants' spring training lineup on March 13, 2026.

The players

Harrison Bader

The San Francisco Giants' new center fielder who recently represented Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.

Tony Vitello

The manager of the San Francisco Giants.

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What they’re saying

“I've never taken time off from spring training, so after the second or third day, it was kind of weighing on me a little bit. I really did want to get back in my organization. I certainly had in the back of my head that as soon as I arrived back, I wanted to be plugged directly into the lineup and get back with my teammates.”

— Harrison Bader

“Keeping him off the field is a tug of war. He wants to be out there as much as possible. … I think people can see it on TV, that's a taxing event that comes with media fanfare — playing a full nine innings, those games are intense. Those games are emotional. So it's a little bit to juggle there, but he wants to be right back out there, and it'll definitely be good to have him back out with us.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

What’s next

The Giants have split-squad games on Friday, which will likely limit the number of roster cuts, but more are expected to come over the weekend as the team finalizes its roster for the start of the season.

The takeaway

Bader's experience playing for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic showcases the growing global appeal of the tournament, which allows players to represent their cultural and national backgrounds on an international stage. For the Giants, getting Bader back in the lineup quickly is crucial as they prepare for the upcoming MLB season.