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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Saturday, March 7

Will Smith Frustrated by Defensive Gems in WBC Loss

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Will Smith contributed to the United States' 9-1 win over Great Britain, walking twice and throwing out a baserunner. However, his offensive production was stifled by defensive plays; he was robbed of a home run by Trayce Thompson in the second inning and saw a 104.1 mph line drive tracked down by Kristian Robinson in the sixth. Smith settled for a sacrifice fly in that at-bat and later recorded a flyout against Thompson in the eighth, capping a challenging night at the plate.

Trayce Thompson Robs Will Smith of Home Run in WBC Action

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During the World Baseball Classic matchup against the United States, Great Britain outfielder Trayce Thompson delivered a highlight-reel defensive play by leaping over the right-field wall to rob Will Smith of a solo home run in the second inning. Thompson, who spent the past season with the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate, continued to challenge Smith throughout the contest, later recording a flyout against the catcher in the eighth inning of the 9-1 loss.

Darell Hernaiz Hits Walk-Off Home Run for Puerto Rico

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Athletics infield prospect Darell Hernaiz, 24, delivered a dramatic 4-3 victory for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday. Hernaiz connected on a 374-foot home run to left field in the 10th inning at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, lifting the host team to a win over Panama.

Didier Fuentes Dominates with Elite 99 MPH Fastball

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Prospect Didier Fuentes impressed in his spring appearance against the Orioles, showcasing elite velocity by hitting 99 MPH on his fastball. Entering in the sixth inning, he struck out the side in the seventh and recorded 7 whiffs over just 25 pitches. While he currently relies heavily on his four-seamer, Fuentes demonstrated dominant form. He remains a high-upside weapon, though questions persist regarding his pitch mix and ability to face hitters multiple times.

Ozzie Albies Hits Historic Walk-Off Home Run for Netherlands in WBC

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Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies delivered a historic 4-3 walk-off victory for the Netherlands against Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic. Trailing by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Albies crushed a first-pitch, three-run home run over the right-field wall. The heroics marked the first walk-off home run in tournament history and the 10th walk-off win overall, keeping the Netherlands alive in Pool D with a 1-1 record.

Brett Baty Excels at First Base During Spring Training

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Brett Baty continues his impressive spring training, going 2-for-3 while starting at first base in the Mets' 3-2 exhibition victory over the Cardinals. Baty has demonstrated comfort in his transition to the new position and currently maintains a 1.125 OPS this spring. His performance remains a highlight for the Mets as they continue their Grapefruit League schedule.

Gerrit Cole Reaches 97.5 MPH in Live Batting Practice

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Yankees ace Gerrit Cole completed his third live batting practice session of the spring on Friday, throwing 30 pitches over two innings. He reached 97.5 mph with his fastball and incorporated breaking balls, reporting that he felt excellent. The team is taking a cautious approach with Cole after he missed the entirety of last season, but his performance has been highly encouraging as he builds toward the regular season.

Carlos Rodón Cleared to Face Hitters Following Elbow Surgery Recovery

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Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón is set to face hitters next week for the first time since undergoing October surgery to remove loose bodies and shave a bone spur. Rodón has been working through a slow, cautious buildup to regain elbow flexibility and test his mobility. Now throwing his full array of pitches in bullpen sessions, he is aiming for a late April or early May debut. He emphasized the need for competitive at-bats to finalize his readiness for the season.

Will Warren Extends Spring Dominance with Quality Outing

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Will Warren continues to impress in spring training, lowering his Grapefruit League ERA to 0.87. In his latest start against the Nationals, he pitched four quality frames, allowing just one unearned run on two hits with three strikeouts. Across his spring appearances, Warren has allowed only one run in 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. Although he noted his stuff was not as sharp as he wanted, he stretched to 50 pitches, strengthening his case for the Yankees' rotation.

Aaron Judge Smashes Scoreboard in Team USA's WBC Victory

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Aaron Judge continues to dominate in the WBC, leading Team USA to a 9-1 win over Great Britain by hitting a 109.6 mph RBI single that destroyed a scoreboard panel. This follows his strong performance against Brazil, where he hit a 405-foot two-run home run. Judge, the focal point of the U.S. roster, has been instrumental in the team's 2-0 start. He previously praised 17-year-old prospect Joseph Contreras after facing him in the tournament opener, showcasing his leadership and poise.

Kyle Schwarber Blasts 427-Foot Homer to Lead Team USA Past Great Britain

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Kyle Schwarber propelled Team USA to a 9-1 victory over Great Britain in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a massive 427-foot, second-deck home run. The U.S. trailed through four innings before Schwarber's blast opened the floodgates. The win moves the tournament favorites to 2-0 in group play. Schwarber's power display was the highlight of a sixth-inning rally that saw the Americans break the game open after a slow start against British pitching.

Blake Treinen Struggles in Rough Outing Against Colorado Rockies

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In a 6-4 loss to the Rockies, veteran reliever Blake Treinen struggled, allowing four runs in the sixth inning without giving up an extra-base hit. Coming off an underwhelming 2025 season and entering the final year of his contract, Treinen's performance was a disappointment following a few scoreless spring outings. While the lack of hard contact suggests the outing may be an isolated incident, the downward trend remains a point of concern for the Dodgers' bullpen depth.

Clay Holmes Dominates in WBC Debut for Team USA

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Mets right-hander Clay Holmes delivered a stellar performance in his World Baseball Classic debut, tossing three scoreless innings in Team USA's 9-1 victory over Great Britain. Entering in relief, the 32-year-old struck out six batters, including five consecutive hitters across the fourth and fifth innings. Holmes, a two-time All-Star, expressed readiness for the tournament, noting his focus remains on securing outs regardless of the stage.

Jackson Chourio Expected to Return to Venezuela Lineup Monday

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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio is expected to return to Team Venezuela's lineup for Monday's World Baseball Classic game against Nicaragua. Chourio has missed the last two games due to a left hand injury sustained after being hit by a pitch during an exhibition game on Wednesday. Team manager Omar Lopez confirmed the injury is not considered a long-term concern, and the 21-year-old is on track to resume play as scheduled.

Tarik Skubal Records Five Strikeouts in WBC Start for Team USA

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Tigers ace Tarik Skubal made his lone World Baseball Classic start for Team USA against Great Britain, allowing a leadoff home run while recording five strikeouts over three innings and 41 pitches. Skubal, who earns $32 million in 2026, confirmed no extension was offered this offseason. While he initially planned for only one start, he has left the door open for a potential return if the U.S. makes a deep tournament run. He is slated to return to Tigers camp following pool play.

Nate Eaton Homers on First Pitch Against Team USA

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Representing Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic, Nate Eaton made an immediate impact by hitting a home run on the first pitch of the game against Team USA pitcher Tarik Skubal on Saturday night in Houston.

Brandon Woodruff Returns with Two Scoreless Innings in Spring Debut

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Brandon Woodruff made his 2026 spring debut Saturday, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts on 32 pitches against the Angels. His fastball velocity sat at 92-93 mph as he continues his recovery from the right lat strain that ended his 2025 season. While he is on track for the Opening Day roster, Woodruff emphasized his primary goal is maintaining health for the full season. This outing marks a key milestone in his return to the Brewers' pitching rotation.

Landon Knack Takes Mound for Saturday Start Against Rockies

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Landon Knack is set to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Saturday night's spring training matchup against the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch. Knack enters the outing looking to improve upon a 16.20 ERA across three appearances, aiming to rebound from a difficult previous start against the Angels where he surrendered two home runs. He will be supported by a lineup featuring Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy as he works to demonstrate his big league potential.

Byron Buxton Feeling Fine After Forearm HBP

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Byron Buxton is feeling fine after being hit by a pitch on his right forearm during Friday's World Baseball Classic win over Brazil. Although he was replaced by Pete Crow-Armstrong as a precaution, X-rays returned negative. While Buxton is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Great Britain, team officials indicate there is no concern that the 32-year-old center fielder will miss significant time.

Anthony Volpe Progresses in Shoulder Rehab, Begins Diving Drills

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Recovering from October labrum surgery, Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has begun diving drills, marking a significant step in his recovery. Volpe is currently in the middle of his hitting progression and reports feeling healthy with no setbacks. While he remains uncertain about his exact return date, he is targeting an April or May debut. Volpe is currently competing with José Caballero for the starting shortstop role as he looks to bounce back from a difficult 2025 campaign.