{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreifezu73ycqxt5nig67vzqnpgwoyh53mdihxihajcdcfqd5te2vwxe",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:psocqub4rb4dlzcbpukyqynd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg7xtsm24bs2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreibxlkx6aam5vidrfexolbqpds64ozyhyogd4wlwunupfyxlkrluu4"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 59039
  },
  "path": "/sports/washington-nationals-2026-world-baseball-classic",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-03T23:06:33.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.fox5dc.com",
  "tags": [
    "e2e5f196-4ab8-5344-b966-d23304ca16c8",
    "wttg",
    "FOX 5 DC",
    "fts/sports/mlb/nationals",
    "sports",
    "article",
    "**Nationals announce 31-year-old Ani Kilambi as new general manager**",
    "**Blake Butera to be named Nationals new manager: report**"
  ],
  "textContent": "The World Baseball Classic tees off this week, with 20 teams fighting for the world title.\n\nThe Washington Nationals will be sending just two players from camp to the tournament. Neither will represent the U.S.\n\nHere's who the Nats are sending to the tournament:\n\n### Great Britain\n\n  * C Harry Ford\n\n\n\nFord is the No. 3 prospect in the Nationals' organization, after coming over from the Seattle Mariners. He will rep Great Britain for the second time in 2026. In 2023, at just 19 years old, he led the team in hits, home runs and RBI.\n\n**SUGGESTED:****Nationals announce 31-year-old Ani Kilambi as new general manager**\n\n### Israel\n\n  * 1B Matt Mervis\n\n\n\n2026 is Mervis' first in Washington, but it will be his second time participating in the World Baseball Classic. Mervis recorded just one hit for Israel in the 2023 WBC. In 42 games for the Miami Marlins last year, he hit .254 with 7 home runs and 14 RBI.\n\n**RELATED:****Blake Butera to be named Nationals new manager: report**\n\n## Other Nationals connections\n\nThe Nationals' new manager, Blake Butera was the bench coach for Italy's 2023 WBC team.\n\n## When does the 2026 World Baseball Classic start?\n\nThe official start date of the World Baseball Classic is March 5. But, because the first game is in Tokyo, which is 14 hours ahead of Washington, the first game between Chinese Taipei and Australia is at 10 p.m. on March 4.\n\nTeam USA's first game will be against Brazil on March 6 at 8 p.m. on FOX.",
  "title": "These Washington Nationals will play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic"
}