Muñoz and His Celebrity Cat Return to Mariners Camp After WBC

Andrés Muñoz and his 15-year-old Persian cat Matilda are back in Arizona after Muñoz competed for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:35pm

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Andrés Muñoz, the two-time All-Star relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, has returned to the team's spring training camp in Arizona after competing for Team Mexico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Muñoz regularly shared updates of his 15-year-old Persian cat, Matilda, from his hotel room in Houston during the tournament, including a photo of the feline wearing a mini sombrero. Muñoz believes the experience of pitching in the high-stakes WBC environment will help him transition quickly into the 2026 MLB season. Meanwhile, Mariners infielder Miles Mastrobuoni also returned from the WBC early due to a calf injury suffered while playing for Team Italy.

Why it matters

Muñoz's participation in the World Baseball Classic was a significant milestone, as he was unable to take part in the 2023 edition due to a previous injury. The experience of competing in the premier international baseball tournament will help prepare Muñoz for the upcoming MLB season. Mastrobuoni's injury also highlights the physical toll the WBC can take on players, as they balance the demands of the tournament with their MLB team's spring training schedule.

The details

Muñoz pitched in two of Team Mexico's four games in Pool Play, on March 6 and 11, before the club was eliminated. The outings were spaced out in a by-design effort to monitor his workload, as the 2026 MLB season is the priority. Mastrobuoni felt his calf tighten up while running to his position during last Sunday's game against Great Britain. He initially thought it was just a cramp, but the issue lingered, leading to his early departure from the WBC.

  • Muñoz pitched for Team Mexico on March 6 and 11 during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
  • Mastrobuoni suffered his calf injury during Team Italy's game against Great Britain on Sunday, March 12.

The players

Andrés Muñoz

A two-time All-Star relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners who competed for Team Mexico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Matilda

Muñoz's 15-year-old Persian cat who accompanied him to the World Baseball Classic and was photographed wearing a mini sombrero.

Miles Mastrobuoni

An infielder for the Seattle Mariners who suffered a calf injury while playing for Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“When I was in the bullpen over there, I felt like the season had already started. That was a good thing, I think, because it was more preparation, and just to get the feeling again of being in a big stadium and just going out there to compete. I feel like that helped a lot.”

— Andrés Muñoz

“I'm feeling better, for sure. These last two or three days have been big steps for me in the sense of just kind of getting back on it and seeing where I'm at.”

— Miles Mastrobuoni

The takeaway

Muñoz's participation in the World Baseball Classic, despite missing the previous edition due to injury, demonstrates his commitment to representing his country and the valuable experience he gained that will help him transition into the upcoming MLB season. Meanwhile, Mastrobuoni's injury serves as a reminder of the physical toll the tournament can take on players, underscoring the importance of careful management and monitoring of workloads during the spring training period.