Worldwide Sports News

Roki Sasaki had his second outing of Spring Training on Tuesday, and it didn’t start very well.

After allowing a single and two walks to the first three batters, Sasaki gave up a grand slam to Kyle Manzardo. He then walked the next batter and then was removed from the inning. Roki re-entered the game in the bottom of the second, looking much better. He struck out two and induced a fly out. He also set down the side in the bottom of the third.

After his outing, Sasaki told reporters that his upper body mechanics felt “off”. He was able to get things more in sync in the second and third innings, saying “Actually, I was able to find something I could really trust. But I still need to work on [it] to produce in the game.” In an interview with Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA, Sasaki remarked that once he stood up straighter, then everything started going better.

In the first inning, Sasaki was missing everything arm side. In the second, he started the first batter with two balls but then found his groove, recording strikes on seven of his next eight pitches. He struck out two with his splitter.

Those four runs were all the Guardians would be able to score against the Dodgers, however. The rest of the pitchers on the day combined to strike out 11, while allowing two hits and walking four.

World Series hero Will Klein looked especially good, striking out two and retiring the side on just nine pitches.

River Ryan is keeping his name in the starting rotation talk with another good outing. Across two innings and 28 pitches, Ryan didn’t allow a hit or a run, striking out three, including Jose Ramirez, and walking one.

Miguel Rojas continues his hot spring, going 2-for-3 including a two-run homer in the third inning. Rojas is batting .375 with a .952 OPS so far this spring.

Zach Ehrhard tripled in two runs in the fourth, and then scored to give the Dodgers the lead that they would carry to the end of the game.

The Dodgers will face Team Mexico on Wednesday at Camelback Ranch. Tyler Glasnow will pitch for the Dodgers, against a TBD starter for Mexico.

Detroit Tigers vs. Dominican Republic

Time/Place: 6:05 p.m., Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal – Santo Domingo, DR
Media: MLB Network, Tigers Radio Network

4:30pm CT SECN+

On the Mound

Tuesday @ 4:30pm SECN+

Vanderbilt #77 Jr. RHP Alex “The Kranz” Kranzler (1-1; 13.50 ERA)

vs. Central Arkansas #39 Jr. RHP Patrick “It’s Pat” Fernandez (1-1; 6.75 ERA)

The Lineup

See you in the comments

Yesterday, there was a report that Johan Rojas had been removed from the Dominican Republic WBC roster for “personal decisions” as termed by Nelson Cruz, decisions that have now been given a little more clarification.

As said above, Rojas is reportedly appealing said failed test.

This is sad news for a few reasons, number one of which that Rojas would consider taking PEDs. We knew that his place in the organization had slipped quite a bit from being the center fielder of the future to “maybe he’ll make the roster?” Perhaps that fall had led to his apparent decision to partake in PED usage, but now he is facing an 80 game suspension from MLB as well as not being able to participate in this or the next World Baseball Classic.

We’ll update once more information is available.

Canada 7 Blue Jays 10

It looked like a runaway, early, the Jays were up 7-0 after 2 innings. But Team Canada tied things in the top of the eighth. Then the Jays scored three more in the bottom of the inning.

Kevin Gausman cruised through his two innings, allowing a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. He looked good.

Other Jays pitchers:

• Angel Bastardo: 1 inning, 1 hit.
• Braydon Fisher: 1 inning, 3 strikeouts.
• Mason Fluharty: 1 inning, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts.
• Lazaro Estrada: Got 2 outs, gave up 3 hits, 2 earned.
• Tanner Andrews: Threw 1.1 innings, 1 earned, 3 walks, 1 k.
• Gage Stanifer: Gave up 3 hits, 4 earned, 1 walk, 1 home run, and hit a batter, without getting an out.
• Jack Cushing: 2 innings, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts.

Hitting, Jays starters:

• George Springer: 0 for 2, walk, RBI, strikeout.
• Nathan Lukes: 2 for 2, 2 RBI, 1 walk.
• Daulton Varsho: 1 for 3, 2 runs.
• Addison Barger: 0 for 2, walk, k.
• Davis Schneider: 0 for 2, walk, k.
• Jesús Sánchez: 2 for 3, 3 RBI and a caught stealing and picked off.
• Brandon Valenzuela: 0 for 2, walk, k.
• Arjun Nimmala: 0 for 2, walk, k.
• Sean Keys: 0 for 2, walk, 2 k.

Others:

• Josh Kasevish: 1 for 2, double.
• Yohendrick Pinango: 0 for 3, k.
• Jonatan Clase: 0 for 1.
• Rafael Lantigua: Walk.
• Carlos Mendoza: 0 for 1.
• Eloy Jiménez: 1 for 1.
• Geovanny Planchart: 0 for 1.
• Josh Rivera: Walk.
• Riley Tirotta: 1 for 1, home run, 3 RBI.

On the Canada side:

• Adam Macko pitched a scoreless inning with a hit against.
• Jacob Robson hit a home run.
• Josh Naylor: 1 for 2 with a walk and stole a base.
• Otto Lopez: 1 for 3, walk.
• Tyler Black: 1 for 3, walk.
• Denzel Clarke: 1 for 4, double.

The Jays have tomorrow off from spring training games, then a game against the Braves on Thursday, a 1:00 Eastern start time. The Jays will be on MLB TV as their Free Game of the Day

The Astros will host Team Venezuela for an exhibition this evening at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches ahead of this year’s World Baseball Classic.

RHP Cristian Javier is set to make his Spring debut while Team Venezuela will start SEA RHP Eduard Bazardo, who’s been scoreless through two appearances (1.1 IP) this Spring. 

Isaac Paredes will make his spring debut at first base.

Tonight will mark the Spring debut for RHP Cristian Javier. In his return from Tommy John surgery in 2025, Javier made eight starts, going 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA (19ER/37IP), 34 strikeouts and a .230 opponent average. In his career, Javier has held opponents to a .203 (397×1956) batting average. Among AL pitchers to toss 525.0-plus innings between the 202025 seasons, Javier ranks first in the AL in that category. He’s also helped author several notable moments in his career, starting a combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series, as well as a combined no-hitter in June of that season at Yankee Stadium.

TODAY’S POTENTIAL RELIEVERS: RHP Sam Carlson, LHP Bryan King, RHP Michael Knorr, RHP Jayden Murray, RHP Ryan Weiss, LHP Tom Cosgrove and RHP Christian Roa.

ABOUT TEAM VENEZUELA: For the second straight World Baseball Classic, Team Venezuela will be managed by Astros bench coach Omar López. Team Venezuela advanced to the quarterfinals in the 2023 WBC prior to being eliminated by the United States in the quarterfinals. The Astros and Team Venezuela also met during Spring Training in 2023, with the Astros hanging on for a 9-8 win at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Notable players on Team Venezuela include: LHP Eduardo Rodríguez, LHP Ranger Suárez, C Salvador Pérez, C William Contreras, IF Luis Arráez, IF Eugenio Suárez, IF Willson Contreras, IF Gleyber Torres, OF Jackson Chourio and OF Ronald Acuña Jr.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, March 3, 5:05 p.m. CST

Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL.

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+,

Radio: KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2

The Mets decisively won their exhibition match against Nicaragua 6-3, with 26 different players entering the game for the Mets over the nine innings.

• Jonah Tong went 2.2 innings, allowing just one run on five hits and tallying three strikeouts in the process.
• Brett Banks got a single out, a strikeout to end the third inning.
• Craig Kimbrel gave up a run in one inning, giving up three hits and getting a strikeout to boot.
• Brooks Raley gave up a run on a walk one hit in one inning, getting two strikeouts.
• Luis García, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, and Jefry Yan each had a scoreless inning, with Yan getting the save as well.
• Marcus Semien went 1-for-2 with a walk and scoring twice.
• Bo Bichette went 1-for-1 with a walk and an RBI.
• Francisco Alvarez went 1-for-3, driving in a run on a single.
• Vidal Bruján went 1-for-2, hitting a two-run single that put the Mets up for good.
• Chris Suero hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, his first of the spring.

The Mets play again tomorrow in another exhibition match, this time against Team Israel. David Peterson will be making his first start of the spring. The game is at 1:10 PM ET, but will once again go unbroadcast, leaving box score watching as the only option.

Puerto Rico has long been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the World Baseball Classic. This year, even though it's missing some of its biggest star power, it should still be a force.

The runner-up in 2017 after losing 8-0 to the United States in the final, Team Rubio went home early in 2023 in a dramatic 5-4 quarterfinal loss to Mexico. The lasting image from the last Classic, however, is closer Edwin Díaz being carried off the field after tearing his ACL while celebrating after striking out the side against the Dominican Republic to send Puerto Rico to the knockout rounds.

Díaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers this past offseason, will be back on the mound for Puerto Rico this year. But the team is missing some notable faces, most notably former captain Francisco Lindor. Several members of Team Rubio's longtime core, including Lindor, will miss the Classic due to insurance constraints that have restricted several big-name players across multiple countries from competing this year. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny offered to pay the insurance for Carlos Correa, but the Houston Astros infielder ultimately declined.

That opened the door for Nolan Arenado, who played for Team USA in 2017 and '23, to switch teams. He played a major role in USA's run to the finals in the most recent WBC, batting .385 and going 10-for-26 with four extra-base hits and five RBIs. Arenado is of Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage on his mother's side.

With Puerto Rico set to play in its first exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox at 6:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, here's everything you need to know about Team Rubio, including the full roster, schedule and how to watch.

Puerto Rico full World Baseball Classic roster

Pitchers

• Raymond Burgos, LHP, free agent
• Fernando Cruz, RHP, New York Yankees
• José De León, RHP, free agent
• Edwin Díaz, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Jose Espada, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
• Rico Garcia, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
• Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals
• Jorge López, RHP, free agent
• Jovani Morán, LHP, Boston Red Sox
• Luis Quiñones, RHP, Minnesota Twins
• Angel Reyes, RHP
• Eduardo Rivera, LHP, Boston Red Sox
• Gabriel Rodriguez, LHP, New York Mets
• Elmer Rodríguez, RHP, New York Yankees
• Yacksel Ríos, RHP, Chicago Cubs
• Ricardo Velez, RHP, Texas Rangers

Catchers

• Martín Maldonado, retired
• Christian Vázquez, free agent

Infielders

• Nolan Arenado, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Edwin Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds
• Darnell Hernaiz, Athletics
• Emmanuel Rivera, free agent
• Luis Vázquez, Baltimore Orioles

Outfielders

• Willi Castro, Colorado Rockies
• Carlos Cortes, Athletics
• Matthew Lugo, Los Angeles Angels
• MJ Melendez, New York Mets
• Heliot Ramos, San Francisco Giants
• Eddie Rosario, free agent
• Bryan Torres, St. Louis Cardinals

How to watch Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic: Full schedule

Here is the full World Baseball Classic pool play schedule for Puerto Rico:

Friday, March 6

6:00 p.m. ET: Puerto Rico at Colombia; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR; Fox Sports 1

Saturday, March 7

6:00 p.m. ET: Panama at Puerto Rico; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR; Fox Sports 1

Monday, March 9

7:00 p.m. ET: Cuba at Puerto Rico; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR; Fox Sports 1

Tuesday, March 10

7:00 p.m. ET: Canada at Puerto Rico; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR; Tubi

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Puerto Rico full World Baseball Classic roster, schedule, how to watch

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Spring training is all about two things: staying healthy and staying optimistic. There’s nothing that we can do from the outside about ensuring that the Yankees avoid the injured list, but we can allow ourselves to be hopeful with a clean slate for the new year of baseball.

Tracking prospects goes hand-in-hand with optimism—at least if the entire enterprise hasn’t jaded you too much—so our Reacts survey this week zeroes in on a trio of young Yankees starters who have caught eyes early in camp: hard-throwing Carlos Lagrange, ascendant 2025 arm Elmer Rodríguez, and 2024 first-round draft pick Ben Hess. Across their six combined starts, the trio has thrown 16.2 innings of 2.16 ERA ball, striking out a little over a batter per inning (17 total) and walking five. But which has wowed you the most?

As a secondary question, we’re just doing a quick pulse check on how you’re feeling about the Yankees deciding to retire No. 52 in honor of 2025 Hall of Famer CC Sabathia. Are you in favor?

Vote in the survey below and let us know.