More Yankees could follow Aaron Judge’s World Baseball Classic lead

ORLANDO, Fla. — If the respective countries get their wish, the Yankees may be down a handful of regulars for a stretch in spring training.

Aaron Judge is the only player officially committed to play in the World Baseball Classic so far, as the captain of Team USA, but he may have some pinstriped company in the tournament that begins with pool play on March 5.

There is mutual interest between Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Great Britain, delegation head Gary Anderson said Tuesday at the Winter Meetings, with the Bahamas native having previously played for the country in the 2017 qualifiers.

“Everybody wants it to happen,” Anderson said. “I think every club wants to make sure their players are going to be looked after. In Great Britain, we make sure we have that infrastructure around them, working with MLB to make sure the players are well looked after. We’re hoping to know mid-January what our final roster will be. … But we’re very hopeful.”

Former Yankee Carlos Beltrán, the general manager of Team Puerto Rico, said he expects to have reliever Fernando Cruz on his roster.

“I love Fernando,” Beltrán said. “He brings energy, passion. Also, he’s just one of those guys that knows how to get people out. He will be a great addition to our bullpen. Also a great guy to add on our roster. Another weapon for [manager Yadier Molina] to use in situations in the game. We’re excited for him.”

Yankees closer David Bednar pitched for Team USA in 2023, when he was with the Pirates, and manager Mark DeRosa is hoping to have him back in 2026.

“His personality’s infectious,” DeRosa said. “He was one of my favorites.”

Austin Wells is a candidate to play for the Dominican Republic, eligible through his mother’s heritage, and general manager Nelson Cruz confirmed on Tuesday that the catcher is under consideration.

“We have to confirm insurance, all that,” Cruz said. “But he’s shown interest to be there as well.”

Team Panama, meanwhile, is also hoping to have José Caballero suit up for them.

“He’s definitely interested and we’re interested in having him, his energy, his level of play, his competitive edge,” general manager Damaso Espino said. “So we’re hoping he’s in.”

Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai could start visiting cities that he is interested in playing in later this month, but his agent, Scott Boras, said they had to narrow the field of suitors first. Boras said there were no visits planned yet, but the Yankees are believed to be among the teams interested.

“When you have an Imai, you have a 27-year-old pitcher who throws 98-99 [mph],” Boras said. “Teams look at that and say, ‘Believe me, in my wildest dreams, I never expected someone to be available like that.’”