Dodgers' Kim Hye-seong Joins 2026 WBC Saipan Camp to Lead Team Korea
Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Kim Hye-seong joins South Korea's 2026 WBC training camp in Saipan. Get the latest on MLB player availability and Team Korea's strategy.
The major leaguers are coming home. Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers is officially joining South Korea's national team training camp in Saipan as the squad gears up for the 2026 World Baseball Classic ( WBC).
According to the Korea Baseball Organization ( KBO) on Tuesday, Kim's scheduled to train alongside domestic stars on the western Pacific island from Jan. 9 to Jan. 21. He's not the only U.S.-based talent making the trip; pitcher Go Woo-suk, who recently signed a minor league deal with the {keyword: Detroit Tigers, will also be in camp. While the {keyword: KBO initially named a 29-player roster dominated by KBO League stars back in December, the addition of MLB experience provides a much-needed boost to a team looking to redeem its international reputation.
It's still a waiting game for other big-name stars. Song Sung-mun, who recently inked a deal with the {keyword: San Diego Padres, has an uncertain status for the tournament. Similarly, {keyword: Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants and Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves are in talks with their respective clubs. Lee mentioned on Tuesday that he'll soon discuss his availability with the Giants' front office, noting that if he plays, he'll likely train in the States before flying to Japan for the opening round.
South Korea faces a tough road ahead from March 5 to 17. They're set to play all opening-round games in Tokyo against heavyweights like Japan and Chinese Taipei. After reaching the semifinals in 2006 and finishing as runners-up in 2009, the national team hasn't made it past the first round in the last three editions ({stat: 2013, {stat: 2017, {stat: 2023). The Saipan camp represents the first step in breaking that curse.
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