Mookie Betts bows out of World Baseball Classic after wife’s ultimatum

Mookie Betts has pulled out of the World Baseball Classic, revealing this week his pregnant wife “said she’d divorce me” if he opted to play in the 2026 tournament instead of being by her side.

Betts, 33, told Adin Ross on the internet star’s livestream Wednesday that he intended to suit up for the U.S. entry in the prestigious event, but his wife Brianna’s pregnancy has changed his plans.

“I can’t now,” he said in front of Ross’ cameras. “My wife, we’re having the kid. The baby’s due right in the middle of the WBC.”

“She said she would divorce me if I wasn’t there for the kid,” he added.

Team USA’s WBC games begin the first week of March in Houston, and if the squad makes the semifinals and then the finals, the tilts would take place in mid-March in Miami. Betts explained his spouse would have to remain in California during that time.

“Dad first,” he said. “It is what it is.”

Betts played in the 2023 WBC, logging at-bats in seven contests. He hit .313 and helped the Stars and Stripes make the championship, though the team lost to Japan.

While the Dodgers star is now out, his Los Angeles teammate, Shohei Ohtani, has said he’ll make his return to the event after shining during the previous event. It’s still unclear if the Dodgers’ other Japanese star teammates — Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — will follow suit, although manager Dave Roberts has made it clear he hopes not.

As for other notable MLBers, Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Bobby Witt Jr., Kyle Schwarber and Corbin Carroll have all pledged to play for America in the tourney.