Here are three things to watch in baseball today.
1. WBC Pool Play Continues:
Pool play in the World Baseball Classic is still underway, with both Samurai Japan (3-0) and South Korea (2-2) eliminated from the tournament’s pool stage. These two clubs will advance to the quarterfinals of Group C. The favorites to advance from Group A are Puerto Rico and Cuba, with both clubs recording 2 wins and 0 losses. The Dominican Republic and Venezuela in Group D also had 2-0 records. The most interesting pool right now is Pool B, with the United States, Italy, and Mexico each holding perfect 2-0 records. Whoever wins tonight’s match between Team USA and Team Mexico will be the overwhelming favorite to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. U.S. plans to send current NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skennes Takes the mound against the former Orioles right-hander Manny Barreda.
2. Littell contract to be finalized:
Nationals and right-handed pitcher Jack Littell has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027. However, the transaction was live and the exact transaction amount has not yet been reported. Financial details are expected to be released at some point in the near future, and a deal should be finalized quickly to get the right-hander into camp with the Nats. There are now just over two weeks left until the start of the regular season. The Nationals will need to make a 40-man roster move to accommodate the addition of Littell, and the club already has no 60-day IL candidates after the transfer. Trevor Williams and DJ Hertz Early this spring.
3. Giolito stands alone.
Now that Littell got traded, right-hander Lucas Giolito He is the final member of MLBTR’s top 50 free agent list yet to sign a contract. MLBTR’s Steve Adams took a look at a handful of teams back in February that would likely add a starter like Giolito to the mix, many of which still make some sense for his services. Clubs like the Braves and Phillies may look good on paper, but their lack of interest in the right-hander at this point indicates a lack of interest.
Of course, the nature of pitcher injuries (especially in spring training) is that a particular pitch thrown by a player expected to be in the team’s rotation mix can lead to an injury that presents an opportunity for Giolito. This was very evident in Atlanta, Spencer Schwellenbach and hurston world rep Recent injuries at the start of camp have made things even worse. Joey Wentz. Wentz was carted off the field with an apparent right knee injury while covering the bag on a grounder to first base. Initial reports indicated that Wentz appeared to have avoided major injury, but was still being sent for video. If he’s forced to miss some time, perhaps losing a third rotation option will force the Braves to consider a few outside additions.
