Overview
- Manager Mark DeRosa set the opening rotation: Logan Webb in Game 1 vs. Brazil on March 6, Tarik Skubal in Game 2 vs. Great Britain, Paul Skenes in Game 3 vs. Mexico, with Nolan McLean lined up for Italy.
- Tarik Skubal said he will make only one World Baseball Classic start during pool play.
- An exhibition lineup preview featured Bobby Witt Jr. leading off ahead of Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge.
- Joe Ryan was replaced on the U.S. roster by left-hander Ryan Yarbrough following Ryan’s back tightness.
- The 20-team tournament opens this week across Tokyo, Houston, Miami and San Juan; Japan defends its title with Shohei Ohtani limited to hitting, and U.S. broadcasts air on FOX platforms with Netflix carrying games in Japan.