Red Sox Outfielder Roman Anthony Selected for Team USA's WBC Roster

Anthony's first WBC appearance comes after watching the 2023 finals as a fan

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony has been selected to compete for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. This will be Anthony's first time representing the United States in the tournament, after attending the 2023 finals as a fan and watching Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout face off. Anthony is expected to play left field for Team USA, filling in for the injured Arizona Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll.

Why it matters

Anthony's selection to the Team USA roster comes after an impressive rookie season with the Red Sox, where he hit .292 with 8 home runs and 32 RBIs. His strong performance has earned him a spot on the national team, and a strong showing in the WBC could solidify his status as a rising star in Major League Baseball.

The details

Anthony is set to leave for the WBC around March 1 and is expected to play left field for Team USA. His opportunity came about due to the hand injury suffered by Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, Anthony's impressive rookie season with the Red Sox, where he ranked second on the team in OPS behind Rafael Devers, clearly caught the eye of Team USA decision makers.

  • Anthony attended the 2023 World Baseball Classic finals as a fan.
  • Anthony is set to leave for the 2026 World Baseball Classic around March 1.

The players

Roman Anthony

A Boston Red Sox outfielder who had an impressive rookie season in 2025, hitting .292 with 8 home runs and 32 RBIs.

Shohei Ohtani

A Japanese professional baseball player who competed for Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic finals.

Mike Trout

An American professional baseball player who competed for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic finals.

Corbin Carroll

An Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder who was originally selected for the Team USA roster but had to withdraw due to a hand injury.

Rafael Devers

A Boston Red Sox infielder who was traded midway through the 2025 season, but had the highest OPS on the team that year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Anthony is expected to play a key role for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which could lead to future opportunities to represent the United States in international competitions.

The takeaway

Roman Anthony's selection to the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic is a testament to his impressive rookie season with the Boston Red Sox. This opportunity will allow him to showcase his talents on the international stage and potentially solidify his status as a rising star in Major League Baseball.