Angels' Mike Trout Open to Team USA in 2026 World Baseball Classic 'If They Ask'

One of the best American baseball players in recent history is ready to run things back at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

"I had a blast doing it [in 2023], and I plan to do it again," Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout told Barry M. Bloom of Sportico. "I haven't heard anything yet. Nobody's brought it up to me, but if they ask, I'm there."

Trout was front and center during arguably the most memorable moment in WBC history in 2023.

His then-Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani was on the mound for Japan in the championship game and protecting a 3-2 lead when Trout stepped to the plate in the ninth inning. Ohtani struck him out and clinched the championship for his country.

"That's [the matchup] everyone wanted to see," Trout said. "Obviously, it's not the outcome I expected or wanted. We'll see what happens."

Trout and the Americans will once again have to deal with Ohtani and a loaded Japan team. Japan has won three of the five tournaments (2006, 2009 and 2023), while the United States has won one (2017). The Dominican Republic won it in 2013.

The 2026 tournament will take place from March 5-17 with pool play games in Puerto Rico, Japan and Houston. The quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game will take place in Miami.

Having Trout will make the Americans far more dangerous, as his resume includes three MVPs, a Rookie of the Year, nine Silver Sluggers and 11 All-Star Game selections. However, he has dealt with injuries of late and was limited to just 29 games while undergoing multiple knee surgeries last season.

The last time he played more than 119 games was in 2019, and he was also limited to just 36 contests in 2021.

When healthy, Trout is one of the best players of his generation and a surefire future Hall of Famer. He will be 34 years old for the next WBC, but the United States will surely want to have his bat in the lineup.

And he is ready to provide it if and when he is asked.