Phillies’ Trea Turner Misses World Baseball Classic: ‘Never Got the Call’
Next month marks the three-year anniversary of Trea Turner’s historic grand slam at Miami’s LoanDepot Park during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. This pivotal moment made him the first Team USA player in a decade to hit a grand slam in the tournament. Turner’s grand slam helped propel Team USA to a thrilling win over an undefeated Venezuelan team in the quarterfinals. He finished that tournament with five home runs, tying a World Baseball Classic (WBC) record and contributing to Team USA’s silver medal achievement.
Trea Turner’s Absence in the 2026 World Baseball Classic
As spring training begins for the Philadelphia Phillies, Turner will not join his teammates Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, who are slated to represent Team USA in the upcoming 2026 WBC. Turner expressed his disappointment, stating, “The phone never rang.” He emphasized that he would have gladly accepted the opportunity to play again.
Turner’s Performance and Future Outlook
Team USA is preparing for the tournament with an impressive roster that includes shortstops Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson, along with second baseman Brice Turang. Turner, who won the National League batting title in 2025 with a .304 batting average, had an exceptional season defensively as well. He registered an impressive +17 outs above average at shortstop, placing him in the 99th percentile at his position according to StatCast data.
Support for Fellow Players
Turner wishes success for his teammates who are competing internationally. “I’ll definitely be watching it,” he said while expressing hope for the performance of players like Kyle Harper and Edmundo Sosa. Other Phillies players participating in the WBC include Cristopher Sánchez and Johan Rojas (Dominican Republic), Taijuan Walker (Mexico), and José Alvarado (Venezuela).
The upcoming WBC season holds special significance for Harper, who is eager to play after missing the 2023 tournament due to Tommy John surgery. Turner acknowledged the need for Harper to adjust his spring training to prepare for live at-bats.
Maintaining Health and Recovery
Turner’s primary focus this offseason has been on his health. He has suffered hamstring strains in the past two seasons. To minimize injury risks, Turner is emphasizing nutrition and hydration. At 32, he remains optimistic about his physical condition, stating, “Body feels good. Still feel young.”
Building Team Depth
Turner is also enthusiastic about the potential contribution of younger players like Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller. He is looking forward to how their skills can enhance the Phillies’ lineup. “We need guys like that. We need to build depth,” he remarked, indicating the importance of integrating young talent into a successful organization.
