A Japan fan looks on during the second inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinal between Japan and Mexico on Monday night in Miami.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/03/20/shohei-ohtani-japan-rally-past-mexico-to-reach-world-baseball-classic-final/

Alexis Díaz is now focusing on what is expected to a prominent role for him in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen after the shock of seeing his older brother get hurt while they played together for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Source: https://www.limaohio.com/sports/2023/03/20/daz-focusing-on-reds-role-braves-make-apparent-ss-decision/

Alvarez, Baty and others will get plenty of opportunities to make the roster out of camp with so many key players leaving part of the way through to represent their respective countries in the World Baseball Classic.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/02/13/mets-prioritizing-defense-for-francisco-alvarez-and-brett-baty-at-spring-training-2/

A Team Japan fan looks on during their World Baseball Classic semifinal against Mexico on Monday night in Miami.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/03/20/shohei-ohtani-japan-rally-past-mexico-to-reach-world-baseball-classic-final/

Díaz, who turns 29 next week, retired the side in order in the ninth inning of a 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night that sent Puerto Rico to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/03/17/mets-diaz-expected-to-miss-season-with-torn-patellar-tendon/

Don’t be surprised if it becomes an issue: The Mets are sending their entire starting infield to the World Baseball Classic, along with Ottavino, Jose Quintana, Edwin Diaz, Brooks Raley and Narvaez, among others.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/02/13/mets-spring-training-primer-inside-look-at-biggest-storylines/

Fans watch as players warm up before the World Baseball Classic championship game between Japan and the United States on Tuesday night in Miami.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/03/21/shohei-ohtani-strikes-out-mike-trout-as-japan-edges-team-usa-for-world-baseball-classic-title/

His most consequential appearance came in this past offseason, when he struck out Trout to win the World Baseball Classic.

Source: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/shohei-ohtani-signs-off-for-2023-did-he-also-say-goodbye-to-the-angels

Imanaga impressed in his two innings as the starting and winning pitcher for Japan in the World Baseball Classic final against the United States in March.

Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/11/13/baseball/mlb/shota-imanaga-mlb-teams/

Japan finished undefeated — only the second team to do that in the World Baseball Classic — after beating the United States 3-2 in the deciding game.

Source: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/sports-news/2023/03/japans-winning-wbc-team-drops-in-on-prime-minister-kishida/

Japan pitcher Yu Darvish (11) celebrates with his teammates after defeating the United States in World Baseball Classic championship game, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Miami.

Source: https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/sports/ohtani-fans-trout-japan-tops-u-s-for-wbc-championship/article_dc1cff56-cd11-58e7-bea9-6c88a6580b25.html

Japan’s Munetaka Murakami celebrates after hitting a two-run walk-off double in the ninth inning of their World Baseball Classic semifinal against Mexico on Monday night in Miami.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/03/20/shohei-ohtani-japan-rally-past-mexico-to-reach-world-baseball-classic-final/

Mexico manager Benjamin Gil, middle, and others celebrate the team’s 10-3 victory over Canada in a World Baseball Classic game in Phoenix on Wednesday.

Source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-03-15/wbc-team-mexico-julio-urias-randy-arozarena-rowdy-tellez

Moments later, in a jam-packed news conference, Nootbaar elaborated even more about Ohtani, who is expected to start for Japan on Thursday against in their opening game of the World Baseball Classic.

Source: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/world-baseball-classic-japan-buzzing-for-shohei-ohtanis-return

Mullins, who has made several highlight-reel catches in the past week, said his participation in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA might have played a part in his slow start with the glove.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/05/12/the-orioles-defense-hasnt-been-what-it-was-in-2022-they-believe-thats-starting-to-change/

Ohtani struck out former World Baseball Classic teammate Yoshida swinging with a 98.4 mph fastball in their only matchup in the first inning.

Source: https://www.limaohio.com/sports/2023/04/17/reds-beat-rays-8-1-after-greene-injury/

Panama and Chinese Taipei will face off for an early Pool B matchup as the first game on day two of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Source: https://nesn.com/2023/03/panama-vs-chinese-taipei-live-stream-watch-2023-wbc-online-on-tv/

PHOENIX — Kyle Schwarber launched a three-run homer, Nolan Arenado had three hits and two RBIs, and the United States overcame a slow start to beat Great Britain 6-2 on Saturday night in the World Baseball Classic opener for both teams.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/03/11/schwarbers-3-run-homer-sends-u-s-past-great-britain-in-world-baseball-classic/

Players, coaches, managers, front office personnel, and owners have difficult decisions to make regarding players participating in the World Baseball Classic.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniepleskoff/2023/03/16/new-york-mets-edwin-diaz-has-surgery-for-torn-knee-tendon-suffered-in-world-baseball-classic-victory-celebration/

Players who participate in the World Baseball Classic must purchase insurance.

Source: https://larrybrownsports.com/baseball/mets-pay-edwin-diaz-hurt-injury-wbc-insurance/612723