The 2026 World Baseball Classic has seen favorites Japan eliminated and MLB star Ronald Acuña Jr. had a lot to say after Venezuela’s win. Acuña Jr. and his Venezuela are on track for a historic finish at this year’s

Japan’s Seiya Suzuki left a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against Venezuela after appearing to hurt his right leg while he was caught stealing in the first inning.

Venezuela reached its first WBC semis since 2009 and clinched a spot in the six-nation field for the 2028 Olympic baseball tournament.

Team Japan was widely considered among the favorites to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic after defeating Team USA for the tournament championship in 2023. Armed with the reigning National League MVP (Shohei Ohtani) and starting the reigning World

The win knocked out the three-time WBC champions and sent Venezuela to Monday night’s semifinal against Italy. Tigers right-hander Keider Montero has been announced as the starting pitcher for Venezuela. It was the earliest exit in tournament history for Japan, which has never failed to reach the semifinals.

So Ibata was left uncomfortably answering questions about why he pulled Yoshinobu Yamamto before 80 pitches, Japan’s bullpen struggles, its inability to score in 6 ⅓ innings against Venezuela’s bullpen, and how it was possible to cough up a 5-2 lead.

Chicago Cubs OF Seiya Suzuki left Japan’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against Venezuela on Saturday after suffering an apparent knee injury while he was caught stealing.

Catching up on all day's action from the World Baseball Classic.