ReportWire

Tag: WBC

  • Roki Sasaki rocked after Dodgers shut down Samurai Japan WBC hopes

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    Roki Sasaki wanted to play for the reigning World Baseball Classic champions Samurai Japan in this year’s global tournament.

    He was part of the Japanese team that took down Team USA in the 2023 final to become the kings of international baseball.

    But following a rocky first season that included missing a large chunk of time due to injury, the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to block his joining the Japanese team for the WBC tournament, keeping him in camp for spring training.

    While Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto left to join the Samurai Japan team, Sasaki remained in Arizona, where he made his first spring training start on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

    After a strong ending to the 2025 season that saw him become the de facto closer for the back-to-back World Series champions in the postseason, Sasaki is prepared to return as a starting pitcher this upcoming campaign.

    More news: Will Shohei Ohtani Play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

    More news: Team USA’s WBC Pitching Plan for Paul Skenes Revealed: Report

    While the speed on his fastballs were good for a first spring training outing, topping out at around 97 MPH, his location was not. Sasaki struggled in his first preseason start, not finding the strike zone with his fastball, and the D-Backs sat on his breaking balls to pummel into the outfield.

    The 24-year-old gave up three runs in the first inning before pulling himself together to get two straight strikeouts to get out of the inning.

    It’s a big season for Sasaki, who currently has a spot in the starting rotation, but that could change with returning young arms like Gavin Stone and River Ryan competing to be the next young ace for the Dodgers.

    While Sasaki dreamed of repeating with the Samurai, he might be happy to be staying with the Dodgers the next few weeks to establish himself as ready for the regular season following Wednesday’s rocky start.

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  • Tarik Skubal Confirms His Exact Plan for Team USA

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    Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has made it clear: representing Team USA in the World Baseball Classic is an honor, but his priority remains the Tigers’ 2026 season.

    Speaking from spring training in Lakeland, Skubal confirmed he plans to make just one start for Team USA next month before returning to camp to continue his normal buildup toward Opening Day.

    “I am trying to do both things,” Skubal said via the Detroit News. “I am going to pitch for Team USA (in the World Baseball Classic), but also I understand I really need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season. It’s the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful that they took me in that capacity.”

    One Start, Then Back to Detroit

    After throwing two scoreless innings in his spring debut against the Minnesota Twins, Skubal confirmed his WBC role will be limited by design.

    “I might stick around for a few games,” Skubal said. “I haven’t determined what games I’m going to watch. If they go to the finals I’m going to try to lobby to go watch and be with the guys. But I’m only going to make one start and then getting back to here.”

    The Tigers left-hander is expected to make another spring training start this weekend before departing for Miami.

    Protecting His Spring Routine

    Skubal emphasized that his decision to be “one and done” with Team USA is about maintaining consistency, not accelerating his workload.

    “The whole point of me doing the WBC is to make sure I can stay on the normal workload of a spring training regimen,” Skubal said. “Everything is going to stay the same. I’m not ramping up earlier than I need to. I don’t want that narrative out there.”

    He added that his focus remains unchanged.

    “I’m treating it as, I’m going to Team USA, making a start there and then coming back to Lakeland and getting ready to throw opening day.”

    Big Picture for the Tigers

    For Detroit, the approach is reassuring. Skubal enters 2026 as the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner and the unquestioned anchor of the Tigers’ rotation. The team’s careful handling of his WBC involvement reflects just how central he is to their postseason aspirations.

    Team USA gets a star for a moment. The Tigers get their ace for the long haul.

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    Don Drysdale

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