World Baseball Classic hype is already peaking, and the New York Mets' Pete Alonso wants in on the fun. Earlier this week, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa announced that New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge would be the national team's captain in next March's event.

Harper suffered a torn ligament in his right elbow during the 2022 season and was relegated mostly to being a designated hitter through the Phillies’ run to the World Series. He had Tommy John elbow surgery in the offseason and didn’t return until May 2023.

As the Team USA roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic continues to take shape, a veteran slugger lobbied for a spot. Per Tim Healey of Newsday, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso said he wants to make his second trip to the WBC for Team USA, though he has not yet spoken to manager Mark DeRosa about joining the team again.