Team USA deepens their pitching staff with Chicago Cubs AS joining the team

The World Baseball Classic is not too far away (March), and Team USA has been building a formidable roster.

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Team USA already has great names occupying the roster, such as back-to-back American League MVP and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, and the National League Cy Young Award winner from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Paul Skenes.

Adding yet another All-Star to their pitching staff, Team USA will be adding Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, who announced he will be joining the team while appearing on the YouTube show “Foul Territory.”

“Yeah, you know, for me, my perspective is this, like any chance to get to represent our country is something that’s really special, and I’m grateful for this game,” Boyd said on “Foul Territory.” “It’s given me so many opportunities. I get to play a game for a living. You know, in 2009 on the 18 U team, I was the last cut in college. I was a replacement player. You know, I was the guy holding the spot for guys that were in the College World Series, and then, you know, I got sent home and went back to playing college summer baseball. So, you know, I definitely told the, you know, I told, I told the guys I was interested in doing it. And [Mark DeRosa] D-row called a couple weeks ago, and man, when he when he called it was something I just knew I wanted to do. So prayed about it. And, you know, I’m just, I’m super excited to get this opportunity, and, you know, represent Team USA to the best of my ability.”

BREAKING: Matthew Boyd announces he’ll play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/ei4NDEosw2

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 3, 2025

Boyd, 34, was named to his first All-Star Team after signing a two-year $29 million contract with the Cubs with a $15 million mutual option for 2027. In 31 starts, Boyd went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and struck out 154 batters in 179.2 innings.

Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd adds value to Team USA’s pitching staff

Boyd, with his announcement, becomes the second pitcher to join Team USA’s starting rotation, with Skenes holding the mantle of Ace of the staff. Boyd also joins fellow All-Star and Cubs centerfielder, Pete Crow-Armstrong, who will likely be the starting centerfielder when games start.

Looking to take down the reigning World Baseball Classic champions, Japan, Team USA needs to add more top-level arms, like back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Back-to-back National League MVP, Shohei Ohtani, leads Japan’s pitching staff, giving them a slight advantage.

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