It was a close call, but Team USA is moving on to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.
The United States lost to Italy 8-6 on Tuesday in pool play, but Italy’s 9-1 win over Mexico sent Team USA into the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals begin on Friday as Team USA faces Canada. The US announced a series of roster moves on Thursday, including Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal leaving the team, which was expected.
RHP Will Vest, RHP Tyler Rogers, and LHP Tim Hill have been added to the Team USA roster for the #WorldBaseballClassic Quarterfinal Round. They replace pitchers Tarik Skubal, Michael Wacha, and Ryan Yarbrough. pic.twitter.com/wPEhjQrpnC
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 12, 2026
Skubal is the big name here, but the Tigers ace was always expected to make just one start, although he considered staying longer before announcing he would go back to camp prior to the game against Mexico.
New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes is also leaving to return to spring training, although a replacement for him hasn’t yet been announced yet.
Clay Holmes will return to the Mets from the World Baseball Classic and pitch in a Grapefruit League game tomorrow. The Mets wanted him back, because Team USA could not guarantee him the workload he needs to build up for the season.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 12, 2026
Holmes pitched three innings and struck out six batters against Great Britain on Saturday, and he got the win.
Team USA advancing to the quarterfinals was a close call. Team manager Mark DeRosa went viral for saying that he thought the USA had already advanced despite the loss to Mexico. But Italy played hero for the United States by knocking off Mexico and sending the Americans into the quarterfinal round.
Team USA faces Canada on Friday at 8:00 pm ET at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.
