Bo Bichette will not play for Team Brazil in 2026 World Baseball Classic

According to a report from ESPN Brazil, New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette has notified Brazil’s coaching staff that he will not take part in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Bichette had been expected to suit up for Team Brazil, contingent on approval from his new organization.

He and his brother, Dante Jr., previously played together for Brazil during the 2017 WBC qualifiers and were poised for a reunion on this year’s roster.

The 27-year-old signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets earlier this month after spending nearly a decade in the Blue Jays organization.

However, Bichette’s 2024 campaign was cut short by a left knee sprain, which sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and the first two rounds of the postseason.

As Bichette begins a new chapter in New York, he is also preparing for a positional transition.

The Mets plan to shift the longtime middle infielder to third base this spring — a position he has never played at the professional level.

Given his recent injury history and the need to adjust defensively, the organization likely preferred that Bichette remain in camp for the entirety of spring training rather than miss extended time to play in the WBC.

Brazil now faces an even steeper challenge in Group B without its top offensive threat.

The team is set to compete against the United States, Mexico, Italy, and Great Britain in round-robin play, making advancement an uphill battle.

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