Matthew Boyd to Play For Team USA in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Coming off the best year of his career, Matthew Boyd has announced that he will be on Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Boyd is the second member of the Chicago Cubs to join the team, as Pete Crow-Armstrong committed last month.
BREAKING: Matthew Boyd announces he'll play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/ei4NDEosw2
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 3, 2025
After missing much of 2024 due to injury, Boyd recorded a 3.21 ERA in 2025. He logged 179.2 innings, the most he has thrown since 2019. Boyd was elite at Wrigley Field, posting a 2.51 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 89.2 innings at the Federal Landmark.
Since injuries have been a major concern for Boyd over the last several years, the idea of him adding innings to his workload before the regular season begins is concerning. The Cubs were right not to deny his request to participate in the WBC, but his workload will need extra monitoring once the season begins.
The team’s catcher next March will be Cal Raleigh, who Boyd says has already contacted him about conducting some bullpen sessions to prepare for the tournament.
Matthew Boyd says Cal Raleigh offered to catch his offseason bullpens ahead of the two competing together for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. pic.twitter.com/cCBSU3ypo4
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 3, 2025
