LEIGH VALLEY, PENNSYLVANIA (VINnews)-Philadelphia Phillies minor league catcher Garrett Stubbs officially announced this week that he will suit up once again for Team Israel in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Speaking on a podcast, Stubbs didn’t hesitate when asked if he planned to return to the international stage.
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“There was no other answer but yes,” Stubbs said. “So, I’m super excited to be able to go represent Israel in this next WBC.”
Team Israel’s official social media accounts confirmed his commitment later in the day.
Stubbs, who played a key role for Israel in the 2023 tournament, is set to rejoin the blue-and-white squad for the 2026 edition, which will take place in Miami. Israel faces a daunting challenge in group play, drawn into a tough pool alongside the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Netherlands, and Nicaragua.
He joins veteran outfielder Harrison Bader as another former major leaguer already committed to represent Israel in the tournament. Though Israel will enter as clear underdogs, the team hopes to recapture some of the magic from previous WBC appearances.
Stubbs’ most memorable moment with Team Israel came in the 2023 tournament, when he delivered a clutch go-ahead two-run double in the 8th inning off Jonathan Loáisiga. That 3–1 win ultimately secured Israel’s qualification for the 2026 WBC.
Currently playing in Triple-A in 2025, Stubbs is batting .253/.358/.361 with four home runs as he works to make his way back to the majors. Over his MLB career, he owns a .215/.294/.311 slash line with seven home runs.
With Stubbs and Bader already in the fold, Team Israel’s roster is beginning to take shape as it eyes another spirited run on the international stage.