Shushkewich: Bullpen could be a strength for Canada at 2026 WBC
Great Lake Canadians and Ontario Blue Jays alum Noah Skirrow (Cambridge, Ont.) started and pitched five scoreless innings to record a win against Colombia in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He could pitch out of Canada’s bullpen in the 2026 WBC. Photo: YouTube
October 27, 2025
By Tyson Shushkewich
Canadian Baseball Network
The World Series is in full swing, and this year it has some Canadian flavour mixed in.
Montreal-born Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays captured the American League pennant and are playing host to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who bullied the Milwaukee Brewers to their second World Series in as many years. After a weekend at the Rogers Centre, both teams have travelled to the West Coast with one win in their pocket.
While this is the last hurrah for the 2025 campaign, the World Baseball Classic awaits, with 20 teams vying for the coveted trophy and the bragging rights that come with winning such an exciting tournament. Canada has never advanced beyond the round-robin stage since the tournament began in 2006, but things could change for the nation if most of the eligible players decide to don the Maple Leaf this time around.
The potential starters were covered earlier this month, and now it’s time to turn the attention to the bullpen, which could be one of the biggest strengths for Canada at the upcoming tournament, given the eligible names. In the last tournament, Canada relied on some experienced and even retired arms to take the mound such as Adam Loewen (Surrey, B.C.), John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.), and Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.).
This time around, Canada has some names down in the minors, playing independent ball or overseas who could be key contributors.
*if a player was named in the starters article, they won’t be found below
Cade Smith – Abbotsford, B.C.
If Canada is looking for a lockdown closer, then Cade Smith is the answer.
Since making his big league debut in 2024, Smith has been the best reliever in all of baseball in terms of fWAR (2.7). Across 150 outings, Smith owns a 2.42 ERA and a 1.67 FIP while striking out 207 batters compared to 149 innings.
Smith appeared in two games for Canada at the 2023 tournament, coming out of the bullpen twice. This time around, the right-hander will be the go-to arm in the late innings.
Matt Brash – Kingston, Ont.
Alongside Smith, towards the back of the bullpen will be Mariners hurler Matt Brash. After missing 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, Brash returned to the big leagues this season and didn’t miss a beat. Across 47 1/3 innings during the regular season, he posted a 2.47 ERA and a 1.246 WHIP to go along with four saves. He also posted a 2.00 ERA through eight postseason outings for Seattle.
Brash made one appearance for Canada at the 2023 tournament, striking out the side in his lone inning of work.
Erik Sabrowski – Edmonton, Alta.
Injuries derailed Sabrowski’s 2025 season out of the gate, but when healthy, the Alberta product has been lights out on the diamond.
Through 33 outings this summer, the left-hander allowed just six earned runs while striking out 42 batters, posting a 3.61 FIP and a 1.193 WHIP in the process. Hitters produced a minuscule 4.3 H/9 off Sabrowski, and although he had some issues with walks, his strikeout stuff was there from start to finish.
If Canada needs a go-to southpaw in the bullpen, Sabrowski is the likely name to get the call.
Rob Zastryzny – Edmonton, Alta.
Joining Sabrowski on the southpaw train is veteran hurler Rob Zastryzny. The 32-year-old split the 2025 campaign between the minors and majors with the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers, while also battling some injuries along the way. When he was with the big league squad, he was producing. Across 22 innings, he amassed a 2.45 ERA and a 1.182 WHIP while striking out opposing bats at a career-high 8.2 K/9 rate.
Zastryzny started for Canada at the 2023 tournament, allowing three earned runs in two innings against Team Mexico. This time around, he likely finds himself in the bullpen.
Jordan Romano – Markham, Ont.
The 2025 season was one to forget for Jordan Romano. After being non-tendered by the Blue Jays, he signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies and struggled in his first season in the NL East. Across 49 outings, he allowed 39 earned runs and produced an 8.23 ERA, struggling to find a home with his new club.
There are several factors in play for Romano. One, he is a free agent this winter and might be dedicated to spring training with a new club should he sign somewhere before the WBC rolls around. Two, Romano was dedicated to playing for Team Italy in previous tournaments, meaning he would have to change course to don the Maple Leaf at this tournament, should he wish to play. Seems unlikely given all the circumstances, but there is always hope. He is eligible to play for either team. The decision is his.
Zach Pop – Brampton, Ont.
Pop spent most of the campaign in the minor leagues, splitting time between the Jays, Mariners, Mets and Cubs squads. Across all four teams, he produced a 4.19 ERA through 19 1/3 innings, striking out 23 batters.
The right-hander has been around the block a few times and could be one player that Canada turns to for some firepower on the mound, thanks to his high-90s fastball.
Eric Cerantola – Montreal, Que.
The Kansas City Royals prospect missed a good portion of the 2025 season on the IL. He made 38 appearances in triple-A, allowing 22 earned runs across 49 innings as a bulk inning eater for Omaha. Cerantola is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican League to get some additional reps in this year.
Cerantola may stay behind if a big league bullpen spot is on the horizon (or the Royals may keep him stateside), but he is one name to consider for the bullpen if all systems are go.
Garrett Hawkins – Saskatoon, Sask.
Simply put, Garrett Hawkins dominated in 2025. Across two levels in the Padres’ farm system, he produced a 1.50 ERA through 45 outings and 60 innings. He also chipped in with 10 saves and held opponents to a .138 batting average while striking out batters at a 12.0 K/9 clip. For his efforts, Hawkins took home the Padres’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award.
Although his highest level is double-A, Hawkins has to be one name in the mix for Team Canada’s bullpen. The right-hander was mowing down opposing bats no matter where he went, and should be considered here.
Ben Onyshko – Winnipeg, Manitoba
It’s not a Team Canada roster if Ben Onyshko isn’t in the mix. The veteran hurler has been a consistent name on the national circuit and will be in the mix this time around as well.
Onyshko returned to his hometown to pitch for the Winnipeg Goldeyes this year, putting up a 3.51 ERA across 33 1/3 innings.
Evan Rutckyj – Windsor, Ont.
Similar to Onyshko, left-hander Evan Rutckyj is no stranger to the national circuit for Canada. He suited up for Canada in 2015 for the Pan American Games and has also suited up for the 2019 Pan American Games, 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he pitched 2 2/3 innings.
Rutckyj spent his 2025 season in Mexico, appearing in eight games for Tigres de Quintana Roo before being released mid-summer. Across 5 1/3 innings, he struck out six batters and allowed just two earned runs.
Indigo Diaz – North Vancouver, B.C.
The 2025 season was one to remember for Diaz. The right-hander made 42 appearances in double-A Somerset within the Yankees’ system, striking out 46 batters across 52 1/3 innings while authoring a 2.58 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He missed most of the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to injury, and returned in full force this year.
This would be Diaz’s second tournament, as he made two appearances out of the bullpen for Canada in 2023. He allowed just two hits, one earned run, and one walk while striking out four.
Trevor Brigden – North York, Ont.
Bridgen split the 2025 season between the Winnipeg Goldeyes and in Mexico with Bravos de Leon, where he made just relief appearance. Across 27 outings with the Goldeyes, the right-hander authored a 3.07 ERA and a 1.330 WHIP.
The 30-year-old was also on the 2023 WBC roster, pitching 1 1/3 innings across two outings and posting a clean line while striking out three batters compared to one walk and zero hits allowed.
Rowan Wick – North Vancouver, B.C.
Across the pond, right-hander Rowan Wick has been making waves in Nippon Professional Baseball. Through 40 appearances with the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars big league roster, he posted a minuscule 0.84 ERA while allowing just 25 hits and four earned runs across 42 2/3 innings of work. His 0.844 WHIP is a career best for the veteran arm, and his 11 K/9 is a strong number in such a contact-heavy league in Japan.
Noah Skirrow – Cambridge, Ont.
The right-hander got some tough news heading into the 2025 season, with the Phillies releasing him just before Opening Day. He would find a new opportunity with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the independent Atlantic League and posted strong numbers. Through 25 starts and 137 2/3 innings, Skirrow authored a 3.99 ERA and ended the campaign with a 1.286 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, and a 3.1 BB/9 to be one of the go-to arms in the Barnstormers' rotation.
Skirrow made headlines at the 2023 WBC, where he started against Colombia and pitched five innings of two-hit ball while walking one and striking out five, including big leaguers Dilson Herrera and Gio Urshela.
Jordan Balazovic – Mississauga, Ont.
After finishing the 2024 season overseas, right-hander Jordan Balazovic returned stateside this year, signing a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers. He spent most of the campaign in triple-A, appearing in 34 games while making seven starts.
Balazovic was strong in the Tigers’ system, striking out 48 batters and finishing the campaign with a 3.69 ERA and a 8.0 K/9 for Toledo. With the ability to go the distance given his starting background, Balazovic is one name that could find his way on the Team Canada roster based on his versatility.