Bryce Harper is used to wearing red and white, and now he’s adding blue.
The Philadelphia Phillies first baseman is the latest star to commit to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
“Put the colors on my chest for the 1st time when I was 15,” Harper wrote Tuesday in an Instagram announcement. “No other feeling like it.”
Harper’s announcement alluded to his experiences playing for USA Baseball’s 16U and 18U teams as a teenager.
But this is set to be the slugger’s first time participating in the WBC, as he was unable to play in the 2023 edition because of elbow surgery.
Team USA has not officially announced the addition of Harper, a two-time National League MVP who hit .261 with 27 home runs and an .844 OPS last season.
But Harper, 33, plans to join an American roster that continues to become more and more prolific.
Yankees star Aaron Judge is the captain of Team USA, while catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson and Brice Turang; outfielders Pete Crow-Armstrong and Corbin Carroll; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber are among the others to commit.
Team USA has also received many more commitments than usual from front-line starting pitchers, including Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Joe Ryan.
Mets starters Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes are also set to be part of the Team USA staff, while Yankees closer David Bednar and flame-throwing San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller help headline the American bullpen.
Team USA won the WBC in 2017, but it lost in the final to Team Japan in 2023.
Shohei Ohtani, the MVP of the 2023 WBC, is returning to help defend Team Japan’s title. Fellow 2023 standout Munetaka Murakami — who just signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Chicago White Sox — said he also expects to play again in the upcoming tournament.
Mets star Francisco Lindor, meanwhile, returns as the captain of Team Puerto Rico.
The 2026 WBC is set to take place in Houston, Tokyo, San Juan and Miami from March 5-17.
