SCOTTSDALE — Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno watched with pride as his home nation of Venezuela celebrated its first World Baseball Classic championship on Tuesday.
When Venezuela takes the field for its next WBC, Moreno wants to be part of the action. There was a Venezuela baseball jersey hanging in his locker on Wednesday.
“Of course, I would love to play for my country,” Moreno, from Barquisimeto, said. “If every year we play the WBC, I will play every year. Of course I want to play.”
Gabriel Moreno was proud of his native Venezuela winning the World Baseball Classic and said he would love to play for the team in the future. pic.twitter.com/5K0yBD8kBU
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) March 18, 2026
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The 26-year-old catcher said he was on the list of reserves for the 2026 WBC. Longtime national team staple Salvador Perez (Royals) served as the team captain and shared catching duties with two-time All-Star William Contreras (Brewers).
Perez caught Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez for 4.1 scoreless innings in the title game against the United States, a win punctuated by former Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez’s go-ahead double in the ninth inning.
At 35 years old, Perez may have participated in his final WBC, having competed in the event four times.
Moreno is an ascending player coming off his best season offensively (.786 OPS) while having already won a Gold Glove. Injuries cost him time in each of his first three years in Arizona, but when healthy, he has the potential to establish himself as one of the top two-way catchers in MLB. He is among the key players to watch this season for Arizona.
If he continues to develop his game, Moreno would become a seemingly prime candidate to take on the responsibility of representing his national team in the next WBC, for which the dates have not yet been confirmed.
With its run to the WBC final, Venezuela also punched its ticket to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the next opportunity Moreno would have to play on the international stage if he receives the call.
“It means a lot, it means a lot what we did,” Moreno said. “I’m so proud of all my guys down there. … E-Rod (Rodriguez), he did a great job. To throw four innings, shutout, that’s amazing. I know there’s a lot of sentiments down there. It’s because we really love to play baseball down in Venezuela.”
As for Moreno’s status for the Diamondbacks, he has not caught in a game this week due to right forearm tightness. Imaging revealed no structural damage, and Moreno said it was a nerve issue and not too concerning.
Moreno has started to ramp up his throwing program and continues to get reps in the batter’s box. He took three at-bats on the backfields on Wednesday and will start at designated hitter on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox.
“I think what I have is nothing crazy, just a little rest,” Moreno said.
The Diamondbacks face the Cleveland Guardians in exhibition games at Chase Field on Monday and Tuesday before the regular season begins. Manager Torey Lovullo said his target is for Moreno to catch one of those games and start at DH for the other to get ready for Opening Day.
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