The Veteran pitcher will not get the chance to represent Israel at this year’s World Baseball Classic after a last-minute injury setback. What was expected to be another opportunity for the experienced right-hander to compete on the international stage has ended before the tournament even began, leaving both the player and Team Israel without one of their most seasoned arms.
Robert Stock’s participation in the 12-day tournament has been canceled due to shoulder discomfort. Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Friday that the pitcher will undergo medical testing to determine the exact cause of the issue. The decision removes him from Israel’s roster just before the competition begins, preventing him from contributing to the team’s pitching depth.
Now 36 years old, Stock has appeared in 57 Major League games during parts of five seasons. His career includes stints with the San Diego Padres from 2018 to 2019, the Boston Red Sox in 2020 and again in 2025, the Chicago Cubs in 2021, and the New York Mets later that same year. Because of that experience, he was considered one of the few players on Israel’s roster with meaningful MLB time.
Stock also represented Israel during the World Baseball Classic in 2023. In that tournament, he recorded one save and made a single start, which resulted in a loss. His return to the international stage this year was expected to give the team another reliable veteran presence.
During the 2025 season, Stock pitched for the Worcester Red Sox at the Triple-A level, posting a 5–4 record with a 3.92 ERA. He was released from his minor league deal with Boston in August before signing a minor league contract with the Mets last November in hopes of earning another opportunity.
Fortunately for Stock, Israel’s group stage is scheduled at loanDepot Park in Miami, not far from the Mets’ spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida. That proximity allows him to quickly undergo evaluations from team medical staff. However, the timing of the injury likely ends what may have been his final chance to compete in the tournament.