TORONTO — After missing out twice before, Michael Soroka is not letting this World Baseball Classic pass him by.
Fresh off signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Canadian right-hander has made pitching for Team Canada a top priority this spring, embracing the opportunity at a moment when everything finally aligns.
“This is one I’ve had circled for a long time,” Soroka said Saturday at Baseball Canada’s annual awards banquet. “Physically, I feel as good as I ever have, and I know what it takes now to prepare properly. It’s been almost 11 years since I last wore the Canadian jersey, so getting that chance again means a lot.”
Soroka believes this version of Team Canada has real momentum.
“We’ve got a really strong group,” he said. “I think we’ve got a legitimate shot at getting to Houston and pushing past the quarterfinals. Canadian baseball has been building, especially with what the Jays have done recently, and I want to be part of a good story there.”
That optimism is fueled by a pitching staff headlined by Soroka and newly committed Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon. Their presence gives Canada a much-needed boost at the front of the rotation.
Still, as is typical ahead of the Classic, roster changes have been unavoidable. Canada absorbed a significant loss when Dodgers star Freddie Freeman — a key contributor in both 2017 and 2023 — withdrew for personal reasons. Closer Jordan Romano, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, also opted out.
On the flip side, catcher Liam Hicks (Marlins) and infielder Tyler Black (Brewers) have joined the squad, helping solidify the position-player group. Canada now looks largely set offensively, with Bo Naylor behind the plate, Josh Naylor at first, Edouard Julien at second, Otto Lopez at shortstop, Abraham Toro at third, and an outfield featuring Tyler O’Neill, Denzel Clarke, and Owen Caissie.
The remaining uncertainty lies on the pitching side, where a few roster spots are still in flux. Electric Mets prospect Jonah Tong is a potential addition, but his availability depends on how his big-league situation develops in spring training.
That same balancing act led left-hander Mitch Bratt to step away from the tournament. Bratt, who pitched in the 2023 WBC and was traded from Texas to Arizona last summer, chose to focus on making a strong first impression with his new organization.
“It was a really tough call,” Bratt said. “I wanted to be there, but with a new team, I felt I needed to be present. Being away for three weeks or more wouldn’t help my chances of cracking the big-league roster.”
For Soroka, though, the timing finally feels right — and he’s ready to lead Canada into a WBC he hopes will be remembered as a breakthrough moment.
