Phillies’ Jesus Luzardo explains decision to skip World Baseball Classic
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo has decided not to take part in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and he recently shared his reasoning during an appearance on MLB Network.
Luzardo said the choice was difficult, especially given how meaningful it is for him to represent Venezuela, where his family is from. However, after coming off a season in which he logged career highs in both innings pitched and overall workload, he felt it was best to prioritize his long-term health and career. With free agency approaching, Luzardo believed opting out of the tournament was the smartest move, even though it wasn’t an easy one. He added that he hopes to have another chance to represent Venezuela in a future WBC.
The left-hander put together a solid 2025 campaign, setting personal bests with 183.2 innings pitched and 32 starts. While his 3.92 ERA was respectable rather than eye-catching, he posted a career-high 216 strikeouts, highlighting his ability to miss bats. Improving his ERA will likely be a goal in 2026, but his strikeout numbers remain a strong positive.
Luzardo also noted that the upcoming season is a contract year. He and the Phillies agreed to an $11 million deal for 2026 to avoid arbitration, and the 28-year-old is focused on delivering a strong season as he prepares for free agency next offseason.
Ultimately, skipping the World Baseball Classic was a tough but calculated decision. If things break right in free agency, Luzardo may have the opportunity to suit up for Venezuela in the next tournament.
