GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Luisangel Acuña, the White Sox center fielder and native of Caracas, Venezuela, didn’t take part in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
But he still felt that swelling of pride connected to Venezuela’s championship victory over the United States on Tuesday in Miami. Ronald Acuña Jr., the older brother of Luisangel, was in right field, releasing tears of joy, when Daniel Palenica struck out Roman Anthony with a 99.7 mph four-seamer to set off the jubilant celebration Tuesday.
“I was very happy,” said Luisangel, through interpreter Billy Russo, prior to Thursday’s split-squad action vs. Arizona at Camelback Ranch. “I for sure know that he was happier than me because he dreamed about that moment and he was living it.
“I’m very proud of my country, very proud of all the baseball players who went there and represented my country. That meant a lot. It’s the first time that we won that WBC.”
That victory was so meaningful to the country of Venezuela, let alone the players who made it happen. It was the same sort of feeling shared by Seranthony Domínguez, who pitched for the Dominican Republic, and Sam Antonacci, who played for the upstart and highly successful Team Italy.
Both players were back with the White Sox Thursday, with Antonacci singling and driving home a run against the Padres in Peoria.
“It was really good. Happy to be there. And something I’ll never forget,” Domínguez said. “Best part for me? It was to share the clubhouse with all the superstars from my country.”
“Definitely worth it,” Antonacci said. “I think that’s the biggest thing I’ll take away from it. Just playing the game that I love, and I think it opened a lot of people’s eyes, especially in Italy. We all had the same mindset going in, and I think I definitely made the right choice.”
Catcher Kyle Teel (Italy), infielder Curtis Mead (Australia) and first baseman Munetaka Murakami (Japan) also represented the White Sox in the Classic.
Alberto returns to Rays
Alexander Alberto, the 13th pick in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft and second selection by the White Sox, was returned to the Rays Thursday. The right-hander was not going to make the team’s Opening Day roster and had to be offered back to the Rays for $50,000 after clearing waivers.
“It’s tough,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “He’s a great guy, did a great job in the clubhouse. He was great with our coaches and really did everything that we asked.
“He’s got very good stuff, he’s still very much a work in progress. We view him as someone that’s definitely going to be a Major League pitcher. The opportunity just wasn’t right right now for him here. But he did a great job and he’s on the right track, for sure.”
Selecting Alberto and right-hander Jedixson Paez, a fellow right-hander taken No. 2 from the Red Sox, becomes a bit of a Catch 22 situation even for the rebuilding White Sox. As Venable pointed out, they both have a high level of talent. But neither hurler had worked above High-A when added to the White Sox.
“We had a lot of faith that those guys could make an adjustment or develop during camp and put themselves in a spot to help us,” Venable said. “You know there’s some risk involved with that, but when we did our background check on the kind of people they were, and looked at their skill set, their arsenal, we thought they had a chance or that Alberto had a chance.
“It didn’t work out for him. But it doesn’t take away the fact that he’s a really talented guy that’s going to pitch for a long time in the big leagues.”
Third to first
• Due to forecasted temperatures topping 100 degrees in Arizona, the Spring Breakout game between the White Sox and Dodgers Saturday at Camelback Ranch was moved from 2:30 to 6:05 p.m. MST. Sunday’s Cactus League home finale with the Mariners also was moved to 6:05 p.m. from 12:05 p.m.
• Davis Martin, who threw 85 pitches over 4 2/3 innings Thursday vs. the Diamondbacks, will stay back in Arizona to throw five innings Tuesday. He’ll join the team in Milwaukee.