Home Sports Baseball Sasaki Will Take Mound For Japan, MLB Spring Training Schedule

Sasaki Will Take Mound For Japan, MLB Spring Training Schedule

Published on March 20 2023 6:03 am
Last Updated on March 20 2023 6:04 am

Roki Sasaki, potentially the best pitcher in the world who's not in the major leagues, will take the ball for Japan in its World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup against Mexico from LoanDepot Park on Monday, Japanese manager Hideki Kuriyama announced after his team's workout Sunday.

Sasaki, 21, has posted a 1.95 ERA in 212⅔ career innings for Nippon Professional Baseball, striking out 260 batters and walking 42 while overwhelming hitters with a 100-plus-mph fastball and a devastating splitter

Altuve Suffers Fractured Thumb

Houston star Jose Altuve suffered a fractured right thumb in Team Venezuela's World Baseball Classic game Saturday and will need surgery, Astros general manager Dana Brown announced Sunday.

There is no timetable for his return, according to Brown. The Astros will announce a prognosis after the surgery, which will happen in the coming days.

Major League Baseball

Monday, March 20 Schedule (All Times Central)

Spring Training

Pittsburgh at Boston, TBD

Miami at St. Louis, 12:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 12:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Philadelphia, 12:05 p.m.

Toronto at Detroit, 12:05 p.m.

Arizona at Chicago White Sox, 305 p.m.

Cleveland at Texas, 3:05 p.m.

Milwaukee at Seatte, 3:10 p.m.

New York Mets at Washington, 5:05 p.m.