Canada's top talent suffers a blow as Dodgers' star first baseman Freeman withdraws from the Classic due to personal reasons.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) will kick off in early March, and the Canadian national team faces a major roster shift. Reports from overseas indicate that Dodgers’ star first baseman Freddie Freeman has opted out of the national squad due to personal matters, meaning he won’t participate for Canada. This departure weakens a lineup that was originally strong in depth, costing Canada a highly skilled and well-liked star player.

According to Sportsnet reporter Shi Davidi, Freeman has communicated his decision to withdraw from the Canadian team, citing personal reasons without disclosing further details. Besides Freeman, Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jordan Romano has also chosen to step down, while Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon has confirmed his inclusion on the Canadian roster to bolster the pitching staff.

Although Freeman was born in California, USA, both of his parents are Canadian. He previously represented Canada in the Classic twice, in 2017 and 2023. In Major League Baseball, Freeman is known for his consistent performance, having been selected to nine All-Star games during his career. In the past two seasons, he helped the Dodgers achieve back-to-back World Series championships, one of which was notably against the Toronto Blue Jays, a team based in Canada.

Freeman’s absence is sure to impact Canada’s original batting lineup structure. The team had planned to position Freeman alongside Josh Naylor at first base and designated hitter roles, forming a key offensive duo. The good news is that Naylor can still cover first base duties, which somewhat mitigates the effect of Freeman’s withdrawal.

Looking at Canada’s expected roster, the team still boasts several Major League caliber players, including Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill, Oakland Athletics outfielder Denzel Clarke, and Miami Marlins promising prospect Owen Caissie. Overall, the team maintains a competitive depth.