Japan rallies as Ohtani smacks two more hits
JAPAN 13, SOUTH KOREA 4
Shohei Ohtani doubled and singled for his second straight twohit game, and Japan overcame a three-run deficit to beat South Korea, 13-4, on Friday night for its second straight win at the World Baseball Classic.
Ohtani was intentionally walked as Japan scored four runs in the third inning to take a 4-3 lead, doubled and scored in a tworun fifth and hit an RBI single in a five-run sixth. The two-way star is 4 for 7 with two doubles, three RBI and four walks in Japan’s two games while allowing one hit over four scoreless innings on the mound.
Masataka Yoshida had three hits and five RBI for Japan.
The Czech Republic defeated China, 8-5, in the other Group B game as Martin Muzik hit a goahead, three-run homer following a double by his brother Matej in a four-run top of the ninth.
In Group A, Cuba beat Panama, 13-4, as Yoán Moncada and Yadil Mujica drove in four runs each, and host Taiwan defeated Italy, 11-7.
Yankees suffer another injury
Injuries continue to pile up as the New York Yankees get ready to begin their American League East title defense.
Manager Aaron Boone told reporters that outfielder Harrison Bader has an oblique issue. The injury puts Bader’s availability for Opening Day in doubt.
The Yankees already had said pitchers Carlos Rodón, Frankie Montas, Tommy Kahnle and Lou Trivino wouldn’t be ready for the March 30 opener against San Francisco.
Rodón, starting a six-year, $162 million contract, has a left forearm strain that will cause him to open the season on the injured list. Rodón has been an all-star the past two seasons and is expected to fill a major role in the Yankees’ rotation.
Montas had shoulder surgery and won’t begin throwing until at least late May. Kahnle (biceps) and Trivino (elbow) are expected to be part of the bullpen.
• MARLINS: Infielders Yuli Gurriel and José Iglesias agreed to minor league deals with Miami.
Gurriel, 38, won his second World Series with the Astros last year after he hit .242 with 40 doubles, eight home runs and 53 RBI, down from 81 RBI in 2021. In the postseason, Gurriel had 17 hits with a pair of home runs to help the Astros win their second title in six seasons.
Gurriel adds infield depth, and the Marlins could look for him to add offense for a team that ranked in the bottom five in runs and slugging in 2022.
Iglesias, 33, batted .292 last season with Colorado and had a .981 fielding percentage as he made 116 starts at shortstop.
• PHILLIES: Top Philadelphia prospect Andrew Painter won’t throw for four weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow.
The 19-year-old right-hander’s fastball touched 99 mph in his spring training debut March 1 against Minnesota, and he came into camp the next day and said he felt “tenderness” in his elbow.
He underwent an MRI exam March 3, and the Phillies said Friday a second opinion confirmed a right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain.
• RANGERS: Jacob degrom could make his first spring training start for Texas on Monday.
The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner threw to hitters for the first time Wednesday, when he was in the upper 90s with his fastball and hit 100 mph on the last of his 35 pitches.
Manager Bruce Bochy said deGrom will throw again Saturday and, if all goes well, could pitch against Arizona two days later.