World Baseball Classic a big hit in first round

Many of Major League Baseball's biggest stars, like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, aren't playing in spring training. They're in the World Baseball Classic.

Some baseball fans, particularly New York Mets fans, aren't sure that's a good thing.

But one thing appears certain: People are watching.

The fifth WBC tournament drew just over 1 million fans in the first round, according to numbers released Friday from MLB. That was up from about 500,000 in 2017. Part of the reason is there are more games since the tournament was expanded to 20 teams from 16.

But this year's average attendance of 25,275 is considerably higher than the 20,402 average in 2017.

Several individual games were among the highlights. Mexico beat the United States 11-5 in front of 47,534 fans at Chase Field in Phoenix, which set the WBC attendance record for a firstround game.

The games at the Tokyo Dome in Japan drew an average of 36,198 per game — a record for any site in the first or second round.

Of course, not everything went well in the first round. Mets closer Edwin Díaz suffered a torn patellar tendon and is expected to miss the entire season after hurting his right knee while celebrating Puerto Rico's victory over the Dominican Republic.

MEXICO TO SEMIFINALS >> Mexico rallied from a 4-0 deficit to beat Puerto Rico 5-4 on Friday night in Miami to advance to a WBC semifinal matchup with Japan.

In the seventh inning, Isaac Paredes, who earlier homered, drilled a game-tying two-run single, which was followed by a go-ahead single by Luis Urias.

Puerto Rico touched Mexico starter Julio Urias for four runs in the first, including home runs by Javier Baez and Eddie Rosario.

The United States will face Venezuela in a quarterfinal game tonight in Miami, with the winner facing Cuba in the semifinals. DODGERS' GONSOLIN OUT FOR OPENING DAY >> Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that right-hander Tony Gonsolin won't be ready for opening day because of a sprained ankle.

The 28-year-old had his best season in 2022, earning his first All-Star nod and finishing 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 130 1/3 innings.

The Dodgers have several options to fill Gonsolin's spot. The most likely candidates are Ryan Pepiot, Michael Grove and Andre Jackson.

MARINERS' MOORE INJURED

The Seattle Mariners will be without utility infielder Dylan Moore to start the regular season due to an oblique strain.