MIAMI -- Roki Sasaki, potentially the best pitcher in the world who's not in the major leagues, will take the ball for Japan in its World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup against Mexico from LoanDepot Park on Monday, Japanese manager Hideki Kuriyama announced after his team's workout Sunday.Sasaki, 21, has posted a 1.95 ERA in 212⅔ career innings for Nippon Professional…

TOKYO -- Lars Nootbaar's imaginary pepper-grinder was the talk of World Baseball Classic games in Japan, but the fun-loving gesture by the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder does not appear welcome in Japan's popular high school baseball tournament.When a player for Tohoku High School twisted his two fists together -- imitating Nootbaar -- after getting on first base Saturday, the umpire…

MIAMI -- Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, starring for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, took an upper-90s fastball to his hands in the bottom of the fifth inning and immediately exited Saturday's quarterfinal game.Team USA right-hander Daniel Bard plunked Altuve with a fastball that came in at 96 mph, causing Altuve to fall to the ground and…

MIAMI -- Trea Turner didn't jog his way to first base. He hopped. Pranced. Flexed. Roared. With his team trailing by two in the eighth inning of its World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Venezuela, the Philadelphia Phillies shortstop and Team USA catalyst unleashed a prodigious grand slam, providing the two-run lead that proved to be the definitive blow in…