With Clayton Kershaw being removed from Team USA's roster, the Blue Jays reliever has joined America's pitching staff. In the 2025 postseason, Hoffman, a 2024 All-Star, recorded a 1.46 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 12.1 innings pitched for Toronto. Team USA will play the Dominican Republic in the semifinal round on Mar. 15.

Team USA is headed back to the World Baseball Classic final, as they showcased a clutch performance against the Dominican Republic in a 2-1 thriller on Sunday night.

The 10-run second inning by Japan set a WBC record for most runs in a single inning. The previous record was eight, held by the U.S. (2023) and Cuba (2009). Ohtani's five RBI in the second inning are also a record for a single inning.

Japan's World Baseball Classic title defense is over. Saturday night at loanDepot Park in Miami, Venezuela rallied from behind to eliminate Japan ( VEN 8, JPN 5) and advance to the semifinals. Venezuela is one step away from Tuesday's Championship Game and Japan will head home following its worst World Baseball Classic finish ever.

Shohei Ohtani is the star of defending champion Japan in the World Baseball Classic. JIJI PRESS / AFP via Global events continue to dominate the sports stage in 2026. With the curtains drawn on the Olympics and the World Cup waiting in the wings,