Judge named Team USA captain for 2026 WBC

Aaron Judge has been appointed captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, as announced by manager Mark DeRosa. This will mark Judge's debut in the tournament, having opted out of the 2023 event to focus on his responsibilities with the New York Yankees. Reflecting on the opportunity, Judge emphasized the significance of representing the country and honoring those who have served. He succeeds Mike Trout, who captained the team in 2023, and has expressed excitement about uniting with other top players for the competition. The 2026 tournament will take place in multiple locations, including Houston and Miami, and runs from March 5-17. Judge has started the season strong, leading the majors in RBIs and tied for the lead in home runs.