Here are three things we’ll be looking at around the world of baseball throughout the day:
1. The World Baseball Classic begins:
The World Baseball Classic officially begins in Tokyo later today. At 10pm ET, Australia will face Chinese Taipei. The Australian team includes a White Sox pitcher Curtis Mead and the Guardians top prospect Travis Bazzana1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. The one who plays outside Stuart Fairchildit’s okay Chih-Wei Huand football players Tsung-Che Cheng, Yu Chang again Tzu-Wei Lin all current or former major leaguers representing Taiwan. Hopes Hao-Yu Lee (Tigers) and Yu-Min Lin (The D-backs) are also on the list, and the fans really see the Bulls coach Chien-Ming Wang.
At 5am ET tomorrow morning, Czechia will face Korea. Of the four teams kicking off the WBC in the first two games, South Korea’s roster carries familiar names to the average MLB fan. Former All-Star Hyun Jin Ryunow 38 years old, he is one of the leaders of the sports riding staff. Right-handed Dane Dunning again Riley O’Brien they have big league experience as well. Position players with major league experience include Hyeseong Kim, Jung Hoo Lee, Jahmai Jonesagain Shay Whitcomb. The best-known Czech player to MLB fans is the Orioles outfielder Terrin Vavra.
2. Suspensions affecting the NL East:
Yesterday it was announced that the Braves quarterback Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. Phillies center fielder Johan Rojas he is reportedly facing an 80-game suspension for failing a PED test. Profar served an 80-game suspension for PED use last year. This is Rojas’ first case. Both suspensions are expected to be carried forward.
The two suspensions leave Atlanta and Philadelphia somewhat in limbo regarding their stadium plans. For the Braves, Profar’s suspension likely opens up DH at-bats for someone not on the roster. Dominic Smith, Ben Gamelor Tristen English. The Phillies will now lean heavily on top prospects Justin Crawford before his big league debut on Opening Day, with Pedro León and an unregistered invitee Bryan De La Cruz among the possible fourth outfield options.
3. Will Profar’s suspension change things for Atlanta?
Profar’s suspension could have significant ramifications for Atlanta. Profar would not be paid his $15MM salary, and the Braves would also avoid another $3MM in luxury taxes as a result. For early damage to Spencer Schwellenbach again Hurston WaldrepAtlanta is short on starting pitching. They did not tend to follow people who use the right Lucas Giolito again Zack Littell however, maybe a sudden influx of money could change that trend. Both look like better bets to provide stability in the rotation than current fifth-inning candidates like Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz again José Suarez. It’s also possible that the Braves may look to bring in another bat to help with the DH and corner outfield mix after Profar is removed from the lineup.
