Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
news

MLB News arrow-downArrow Down icon Arrow Up icon

Venezuela rallies past Italy to reach first Classic final

March 16, 2026

MIAMI -- It’s the country that gave us Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown, Luis Aparicio’s game-changing speed, Dave Concepción's Gold Glove defense and Jose Altuve’s October taters. But for all the talent Venezuela has brought to MLB –- more players, in fact, than any foreign nation other than the Dominican Republic

What you need to know about the 2026 World Baseball Classic final

@ByJasonFoster
March 16, 2026

The 2026 World Baseball Classic final is upon us. Team USA punched its ticket Sunday night with a win over the Dominican Republic and will face Venezuela, which defeated Italy on Monday night. The U.S. and Venezuela will match up in the WBC championship on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET

USA wins coin flip and will be home team in final vs. Venezuela

March 16, 2026

MIAMI -- When MLB instituted its current postseason format in 2022, there was no longer a need for coin flips or tiebreaker games, because a new, mathematical tiebreaker system was instituted. But lovers of the coin toss will be pleased to know it can still happen in the World Baseball

The 'crazy hour' dance that has carried Venezuela through the Classic

March 16, 2026

Before each game in the World Baseball Classic, Team Venezuela gathers in a circle in its dugout. As pitcher Eduard Bazardo pounds upon a special drum – known as el tambor – the players take turns jumping into and out of the circle to show off their moves. This isn’t

Who's available -- and who's not -- out of Team USA 'pen in title game?

March 16, 2026

MIAMI -- The delicate balance between going for the gold and getting ready for the regular season impacted Team USA’s pitching plans for the World Baseball Classic final. And it will be fascinating to watch how manager Mark DeRosa and the Americans try to piece together the 27 outs that

Roman's monster Classic doesn't surprise his teammates in the slightest

March 16, 2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Another magical moment by Roman Anthony in the World Baseball Classic -- this one a go-ahead solo shot that led Team USA to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Team Dominican Republic in the semifinals on Sunday night -- left his teammates at Red Sox camp in

McLean raring to go in Classic title tilt: 'I'm built for this'

March 16, 2026

MIAMI -- When the United States assembled its super team for this World Baseball Classic, the selections were skewed toward established stars not just because of their talent but because of the guaranteed contracts that make them more prone to participate.

Ohtani back with Dodgers, likely to pitch before spring slate ends

@sonjamchen
March 16, 2026

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Dodgers weren't expecting to welcome Shohei Ohtani back to the fold quite this soon. Ohtani, along with newly anointed Opening Day starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was away from Dodgers camp for most of Spring Training while playing for Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic. Japan had

The prospects with the most interesting Statcast data this spring

35 minutes ago

You're about to see the most exciting prospects in baseball take the field during Spring Breakout this week -- but a lot of those prospects have already been putting on a showcase this spring. And with Statcast tracking now available for all 30 teams' Spring Training ballparks, it's easier than

History of the World Baseball Classic title game

@hellapalattella
March 16, 2026

Every time, the World Baseball Classic championship seems to create another legend. He may be best remembered in America for his days with the Red Sox, but Daisuke Matsuzaka rose to the occasion in the WBC's biggest moments, winning the tournament MVP Award twice. Before Edwin Encarnación was known as

Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas suspended 80 games following positive test

March 16, 2026

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Johan Rojas had been in Phillies camp this spring, playing in Grapefruit League games and practicing with teammates, while the past couple weeks awaiting word about his future with the club. On Monday night, Major League Baseball announced that Rojas has been suspended for 80 games without

Will the real Max Muncy please stand up? Both homer in same inning, miles apart

@Spokes_Murphy
March 16, 2026

Infielder Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Spring Training game today. Also, infielder Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Spring Training game today. We promise you are not seeing double. MLB has two players named Max Muncy in

Ramírez (shoulder) feeling 'much better,' considered day to day

@tim_stebbins
March 16, 2026

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Breathe easy, Guardians fans. José Ramírez's left shoulder appears to be fine. Ramírez exited Sunday’s 12-6 win over the A’s after jamming his left shoulder on a slide into third base. However, the Guardians appeared to have dodged a major issue, as manager Stephen Vogt noted that

Ready to start up Dodgers' title defense, Yamamoto named Opening Day starter

@sonjamchen
March 16, 2026

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- He got the final outs of the Dodgers' successful title defense, and he'll be the first to take the ball as the team opens its bid for a three-peat. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start on Opening Day for the second straight year, manager Dave Roberts announced on Monday.

From Aldegheri to Zhuang, the World Baseball Classic's top performing prospects

@benweinrib
March 16, 2026

The World Baseball Classic has been a stage for players across the world to show off their talents, and plenty of prospects have thrived in the spotlight. Players ranked on organizational Top 30 Prospects lists have shown out, in particular.

Revisit the best moments in Spring Breakout history

@thevandalorian
March 16, 2026

Before big league debuts, All-Star appearances and Cy Young Awards, the newer faces of Major League Baseball starred in Spring Breakout. The prospect event started in March 2024 and is heading into its third iteration, with a tournament format already announced for 2027 and '28. While more memories will be

USA shuts down DR stars in thriller to return to 3rd straight Classic final

March 16, 2026

MIAMI – The game met the hype. And the Americans met the moment. In a semifinals matchup rife with many of baseball’s biggest names and a game rife with the kind of tension that makes the sport great, Team USA outlasted the Dominican Republic, 2-1, on Sunday night at loanDepot

Juan Sandoval's heartwarming story is a journey of perseverance

Brewers' assistant pitching coach has reached Major Leagues 20 years after losing sight in his right eye
March 16, 2026

PHOENIX -- It’s 9 a.m. on an Arizona morning and one of the newest members of the Brewers’ pitching development machine is pondering all that baseball has given him. When he begins to speak, the words get stuck in his throat. For Juan Sandoval, the answer is everything. “To really

Pujols on DR's exit: 'I don't want to focus on the last pitch'

March 16, 2026

MIAMI -- It was a team seemingly on course with destiny: 13 years after its lone World Baseball Classic title, the Dominican Republic had stormed through its first five games, battering any opponent that stood in its way. It was leading the tournament in home runs, runs scored and pitching

The one person who didn't want to see Miller vs. Tatis? Craig Stammen

March 16, 2026

PEORIA, Ariz. -- When Team USA edged the Dominican Republic in a thrilling 2-1 victory in their World Baseball Classic semifinal contest on Sunday night, Padres manager Craig Stammen was certainly watching like much of the baseball world. But it wasn’t easy for the first-year skipper to take in. Because

On the field and in the clubhouse, McGonigle showing he belongs in the Majors 

March 16, 2026

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Kevin McGonigle was getting ready to head to the Tigers clubhouse bathroom to wash his face Monday morning when he was stopped for a quick interview. As he was explaining his mindset heading into the final week of Spring Training and his approach to the barrage of

Bore of Tommy John rehab behind him, Scott ready to impact Mets

March 16, 2026

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Summers in Port St. Lucie can be hot and monotonous -- breeding grounds for boredom. For Christian Scott, a summer spent rehabbing Tommy John surgery meant finding ways to occupy himself. Scott learned to cook, mostly steaks and breakfast foods. He taught himself chess, finding

De Vries among top prospects to show promise in A's camp

March 16, 2026

MESA, Ariz. – Considering his status as one of baseball’s truly elite prospects, it was set up to be nearly impossible for Leo De Vries to live up to the hype as he entered his first big league camp with the Athletics. Not only did De Vries, MLB’s No. 4