Overview
- White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami was a precautionary scratch for general fatigue before his long flight to join Japan for the World Baseball Classic, the team said.
- Mets rookie Nolan McLean fired four scoreless innings with six strikeouts in his Grapefruit League debut and will head to Team USA in a planned piggyback role during the tournament.
- Paul Skenes said he expects one pool-play start for Team USA and potentially another if the club advances, while Tarik Skubal plans a single March 7 outing against Great Britain before returning to Tigers camp.
- The Yankees have been successful on ABS challenges in Grapefruit League games, and Randal Grichuk’s minor-league deal tightens the outfield competition and could delay Jasson Domínguez’s path to Opening Day.
- Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suárez allowed two runs over 1.2 innings in his debut as Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin homered twice, and manager Alex Cora said Boston’s No. 5 starter race remains open as several players prepare to depart for WBC duties.