Cuba advances in World Classic

Cuba earned a 7,500mile flight to Miami for a trip to the World Baseball Classic semifinals for the first time since 2006.

“Cuban baseball fans are so emotional right now. They have been waiting for a long time at the moment,” manager Armando Johnson said after a 4-3 win over Australia in Tokyo. “This is the new page, new chapter.”

Using current major leaguers for the first time at the WBC, Cuba plays Sunday in Marlins Park against the winner of a quarterfinal between Venezuela and the second-place team from Group C: Canada, Colombia, Mexico or the U.S.

Cuba, which lost the 2006 final to Japan, had been eliminated in the second round of the previous three WBCS. The Cubans won their third straight game in this tournament after losing their first two.

Australia also advanced, making it past the group stage for the first time.

Bauer signs in Japan: Trevor Bauer has agreed to a contract with the Yokohama DENA Baystars of Japan's Central League.

The 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan. 12, three weeks after an arbitrator reduced his suspension imposed by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred from 324 to 194 games. The penalty followed an investigation into domestic violence, which the pitcher has denied.

Odorizzi going on IL: Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Jake Odorizzi, who hasn't yet faced hitters this spring due to what has been described as “arm fatigue” will not be ready for the season opener and start on the injured list.

Bochy also confirmed that Jacob degrom and Nathan Eovaldi will open the season with reduced pitch counts. They would likely start the first two games of the season. It's likely they'd have about 75-80 pitches to work with.