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Retired Dodgers Reliever Gearing Up for WBC Return
Former Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher John Axford is reportedly βcranking it upβ in case Team Canada needs him for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, per Bob Elliot.
Hearing RP John Axford (Simcoe, Ont.) is "cranking it up," just in case he is needed for March's WBC. Second all-time among Canadians in career saves, Axford is coaching his son's 15U Burlington Bulls team @Brewers#TeamOntarioAstros@baseballcanada@NotreDame
β bob elliott (@elliottbaseball) January 30, 2026
This wouldnβt be the first time Axford has come out of retirement to pitch in the tournament if he ends up featuring for Team Canada, as he also played in the 2023 installment of the tournament. The right-hander is the second all-time leader among Canadians in saves with 144, and led the National League in the stat in 2011.
He made his first appearance for Team Canada in 2013, posting a 5.40 ERA through two outings in the tournament. When he returned in 2023, he threw one scoreless inning.
When Did John Axford Play for the Dodgers?
Axford played for the Dodgers towards the latter end of his career, pitching just five games for L.A. after arriving at the trade deadline in 2018. Through his five games with the Dodgers, he posted a 17.18 ERA with four strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched.
He made just one more MLB appearance after leaving the Dodgers, ending his career with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Other than the Brewers and the Dodgers, Axford played for the Toronto Bluejays, Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals.
Throughout his MLB career, the right-hander posted a 3.90 ERA and pitched in 544 games. He struck out 589 batters in 525.2 innings.
The post Retired Dodgers Reliever Gearing Up for WBC Return appeared first on LA Sports Report.
