Rangers Pitcher's Frustration Over Missing WBC Opportunity
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) roster for Team USA is set, and surprisingly, no Texas Rangers player made the cut. But one pitcher, Jack Leiter, had a chance to be part of it. However, due to insurance complications, he had to pass on the opportunity, much to his disappointment.
Leiter, who was interested in joining the pitching staff for the tournament, had to bow out due to insurance issues. He explained that the final decision rested with the Rangers, who were concerned about insurance matters that he couldn't influence. Leiter's frustration was palpable, especially since he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, as Al Leiter pitched in the inaugural WBC event.
The insurance plan, sponsored by MLB, is based on a player's annual salary, and Leiter's 2026 salary is only $800,000. The Rangers, however, wanted more comprehensive coverage, which led to his exclusion. Despite the setback, Leiter remains focused on his second full season in the Majors, where he had a solid performance in 2025, finishing with a 10-10 record and a 3.86 ERA in 29 starts. He struck out 148 batters and walked 67, earning him a seventh-place finish in the American League rookie of the year voting.
Team USA's WBC pitching staff includes several notable names: David Bednar, Matthew Boyd, Garrett Cleavinger, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Brad Keller, Clayton Kershaw, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Gabe Speier, Michael Wacha, Logan Webb, and Garrett Whitlock. Meanwhile, Texas will have several players representing other countries in the tournament, including Austin Bergner (Colombia), Nabil Crismatt (Colombia), Robert Garcia (Mexico), Daniel Missaki (Brazil), Alejandro Osuna (Mexico), Cal Quantrill (Canada), Blake Townsend (Australia), and Ricardo Velez (Puerto Rico).
Despite the disappointment, Leiter is determined to move forward and make the most of his second full season in the Majors. His talent and dedication have earned him a spot as the No. 3 starter in the rotation, behind Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. As he prepares for the upcoming season, Leiter remains a key player for the Texas Rangers, and his story serves as a reminder that sometimes, despite our best efforts, circumstances beyond our control can shape our paths.
