Projecting Brewers' pre-free agency starting five in 2026 with or without Freddy Peralta 1 Oct 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) leaves the mound as he is relieved by manager Pat Murphy (49) in the sixth inning during game two of the NLCS round against the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2025 MLB playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Former Brewers ace Freddy Peralta reveals reason for 'tough decision' to forgo World Baseball Classic

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Feb 27, 2026 11:42 AM ET

Freddy Peralta was preparing to represent his home country, the Dominican Republic, in the 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic, set to tip off in early March. Then, in late January, the Milwaukee Brewers traded him to the Mets and his plans were scrambled. After eight seasons in Milwaukee, the only MLB team he’d played for, he was heading to a new city, with new teammates, and a new coaching staff. Even as rumors lingered regarding his potential departure from the Brewers, it was a jarring transition.

And it informed Peralta’s decision to bow out of the WBC despite months of prep time. It wasn’t an easy call to make.

Peralta believes bowing out is best for family, his future

In an interview with John Sang, conducted in Spanish, Peralta described the reasoning that determined his choice.

“In reality, I prepared for this all offseason and was fully ready to go. But there are circumstances and situations that are completely out of your control. In this case, I had to make a tough decision, and I truly believe it was the right one. I talked it through with my family and a few people I’m really close with. In the end, it came down to what was best overall.”

Those circumstances and situations? Presumably, the trade that sent Peralta from the NL Central Division to the NL East.

“It hurts a lot, more than a lot of people realize,” Peralta said. “Passing up the chance to represent your country, especially with the incredible team we have, isn’t easy. You never know if you’ll get another shot in the coming years, or if we’ll even win it all. Opportunities like that don’t come around often, and turning one down weighs heavy on you.

But sometimes you have to make hard choices for your future and your family’s well being.”

Representing the Dominican Republic from the Brewers organization is Peralta’s recent teammate, reliever Abner Uribe. Among his fellow Mets, pitcher Huascar Brazobán and outfielder Juan Soto will also don D.R. jerseys on the global stage.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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