A Classic first: DR's Sánchez strikes out four in an inning
MIAMI -- Four batters into Cristopher Sánchez’s World Baseball Classic debut, it looked like he might not make it out of the first inning. By the time he walked off the mound, the left-hander had made Classic history. Sánchez became the first pitcher in the 20-year history of the tournament
Caminero jumpstarts late DR power surge in rout of Nicaragua
MIAMI – As they prepared for their first game in this year’s World Baseball Classic, Juan Soto promised that the Dominican Republic team was going to have fun. “And we’re going to be loud,” Fernando Tatis Jr. added. Tatis wasn’t necessarily talking about the sound of Junior Caminero’s bat, but
Israel opens Classic play hoping to surprise Venezuela (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET on FS2)
MIAMI -- While the other four teams in Pool D took the field for their World Baseball Classic openers on Friday, Israel held an off-site workout in preparation for their opener Saturday night. Venezuela, on the other hand, played early Friday afternoon, using a four-run fifth inning to cruise to
Chourio (bruised hand) held out of Venezuela's Classic opener
MIAMI -- A bruised left hand kept budding Brewers star Jackson Chourio out of Venezuela’s lineup for its opening game of the World Baseball Classic on Friday, a 6-2 victory over the Netherlands. Milwaukee officials, however, have “no concern” about his long-term availability, a source said. Chourio was struck on
Erik González replacing Peña on the Dominican Republic’s Classic roster
MIAMI – Erik González has replaced Jeremy Peña on the Dominican Republic’s roster for the World Baseball Classic, the team announced on Friday, adding a versatile infielder to manager Albert Pujols’ star-studded roster. González will join the Dominican team at loanDepot park prior to Friday night’s WBC opener against Nicaragua
Subbing in for Chourio, Sanoja smacks go-ahead HR for Venezuela -- in his home ballpark!
MIAMI – When Javier Sanoja walked out to the field at loanDepot park shortly before Friday’s World Baseball Classic opener, it was hard for him not to notice the number of Venezuela fans in the crowd. That was the moment his first WBC experience got real. “I felt very happy
Jones drives in Netherlands' first run of Classic with his HOF father watching ... from the dugout
MIAMI – Friday’s opener was a family affair for the Netherlands. Andruw Jones, who will enter the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, is managing the team for the first time after playing for the Netherlands in 2006 and 2013. And while he had familiarity with most of his players
In packed Pool D, Venezuela opens with important win over Netherlands
MIAMI – Three years ago, Venezuela went undefeated in pool play, opening the World Baseball Classic with four straight victories before falling to the United States in the quarterfinals. The 2026 Classic started out in similar fashion for Venezuela, as a four-run fifth inning propelled them to a 6-2 win
'Dream team': Pujols says his '26 Classic lineup could be the DR's best ever
MIAMI -- The Dominican Republic has had some loaded lineups throughout the 20-year history of the World Baseball Classic.
After encouraging Minors scrimmage, McLean to report to Team USA
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- While his team was playing an exhibition against Team Israel at Clover Park on Wednesday, Nolan McLean took the mound in a Minor League scrimmage on a back field at the Mets’ complex. The numbers -- one run allowed over four innings -- were irrelevant.
There are lots of stars on Team Venezuela -- and they all look up to Salvy
MIAMI – Watching Team Venezuela take batting practice, it’s hard not to notice the star power on the roster. Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio, Ranger Suarez and the Contreras brothers (Willson and William) are among those who have all accomplished great things during their Major League careers. But there’s one
Here's the Mets' player pool for their Spring Breakout game
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Nolan McLean was among the Spring Breakout alumni to make an impact in the Majors last season. Which Mets prospects could be the next ones to forge a similar path? For the third straight year, the Mets will send many of their top prospects to
2 strikes vs. a lefty: Benge adds notable 1st HR to promising spring
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Carson Benge has been impressive this spring as he competes for the Mets’ right-field job, producing another highlight on Wednesday. The 23-year-old hit his first home run of the spring in the Mets’ 5-2 win over Team Israel, though the homer won’t count toward his
They played together as kids, and now they're suiting up for Team Nicaragua
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Mark Vientos, Jeter Downs and Freddy Zamora grew up together in the Miami area, playing with and against each other during their travel ball days. Nearly two decades after they first met, the trio is back together, comprising three-fourths of the starting infield for Team
McLean on the mend after arrival at Team USA camp delayed by vertigo symptoms
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Nolan McLean’s World Baseball Classic experience was delayed by a few days after the Mets pitcher experienced what his manager called “some vertigo-like symptoms” last week. McLean was dealing with dizziness and a loss of appetite early last week, though the pitcher said he began
Lindor plays catch for first time since hamate surgery
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Francisco Lindor’s path to Opening Day took another step in the right direction Monday. The Mets’ shortstop played catch for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a stress reaction in his left hamate bone on February 11, a significant event as he works
After almost 2 years, Josiah Gray is back -- and battling for a spot in Nats' OD rotation
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The words weren’t coming easily for Josiah Gray on Monday. Given his 23-month layoff following Tommy John surgery, who could blame him? Gray made his first start of the spring Monday, taking a Major League mound for the first time since April 4, 2024. He
Crews' thumb X-rays come back negative, status day-to-day
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Dylan Crews was scratched from Sunday’s game with soreness in his left thumb, but the Nationals received good news on the outfielder’s status on Monday. X-rays on Crews’ thumb were negative, and the outfielder could be back in the lineup on Wednesday or Thursday.
Holmes, McLean ready for intense Classic competition -- and to hang with Kersh
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean are at different points in their lives and careers, yet as they prepared to join Team USA, the pitchers gave identical answers when asked which of their World Baseball Classic teammates they are most excited to be around in the
Mendoza hopeful Lindor will be ready for OD, but ‘I think we’re still too early’
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Mets are hopeful that Francisco Lindor will take the next step this week in his return from surgery on his left hand, but regardless of when the shortstop is able to start hitting again, manager Carlos Mendoza said he believes Lindor could be ready
St. John's University paying tribute to Shannon Forde to mark 10-year anniversary of passing
St. John’s University will honor the life of Shannon Forde during Tuesday's men’s basketball game against Georgetown at Madison Square Garden, remembering the SJU graduate and long-time Mets media relations staple in advance of the 10-year anniversary of her passing. Long-time Mets pitcher and St. John’s alumnus John Franco and
Vying for 17th season, Kimbrel experiments with new pitch in 1st Mets outing
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- With 16 seasons in the Majors and a résumé that includes nine All-Star selections and 440 saves, Craig Kimbrel has nothing left to prove. Yet there was the 37-year-old Saturday, taking the mound at Clover Park for his first appearance of the spring as he
Playing 1B for 1st time since high school, Baty throwing instincts out the window
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Baseball players are creatures of habit, often sticking to the same routines on and off the field for years. For Brett Baty this spring, those habits and routines that have helped him reach the highest level of the game are being thrown out the window.
Top prospect Wetherholt gets hold of first spring homer
JUPITER, Fla. -- It took four games for JJ Wetherholt to get his first hit of the spring, but when it finally came, it went a long, long way. Wetherholt launched a home run against Mets closer Devin Williams to lead off the fourth inning of Friday afternoon's Grapefruit League
Blue Jays' front office makes vision a reality with busy offseason
DUNEDIN, Fla. – Back in 2020, Ross Atkins and the rest of the Toronto front office had a vision of what the Blue Jays could be. It took until 2025 for the club to make it a reality, but fresh off the Blue Jays’ first World Series appearance since 1993,