MLB Baseball 8-Hour Briefing

Last updated: March 17, 2026, 4:30 AM ET

World Baseball Classic & Spring Training Updates

Venezuela advanced to their first-ever World Baseball Classic final after staging a comeback victory over Italy in the semifinals, setting the stage for a highly anticipated championship matchup against the United States. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announced his resignation, taking responsibility after the team's 8-5 quarterfinal elimination by Venezuela in Miami. Stateside, Guardians third baseman Jose Ramírez avoided a serious setback, emerging from Sunday's spring training contest against the Athletics listed as day-to-day due to discomfort in his left shoulder.