Morning Briefing: Team USA Upset by Italy

Good morning, Mets fans!

World Baseball Classic Results

Nolan McLean made his first World Baseball Classic appearance on Tuesday for the United States against Italy. McLean struck out the side in the first but struggled in the second, allowing three two-out runs on homers from Jac Caglianone and Sam Antonacci. He finished his night with a line of three innings pitched, three runs allowed on two hits and two walks, and four strikeouts.

Team USA scored six runs over the final four innings but had its comeback fall short. The top six battters in Italy’s lineup went 0-for-22, but the USA lineup only drew one walk.

The full slate of Tuesday’s WBC scores:

• Japan 9, Czechia 0. Japan was held scoreless for the first seven frames and erupted for nine runs in the eighth.
• Israel 6, Netherlands 2.
• Canada 3, Puerto Rico 2.
• Italy 8, United States 6.

Here’s a quick rundown of the scenarios for USA to advance now:

Pool B scenarios ahead of Italy vs. Mexico on Wednesday:

1. Italy wins = Italy, USA advance

2. Mexico wins + scores 5+ runs = Mexico, USA advance

3. Mexico wins + scores 4 or fewer runs = Mexico, Italy advance

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) March 11, 2026

Latest Mets News

The Mets defeated the Cardinals 6-1 in their latest Grapefruit League game. David Peterson threw four innings, and Christian Scott followed with three. The Mets staff combined to allow just one run across nine innings. Offensively, Jorge Polanco and Francisco Alvarez homered. Alvarez’s blast left the bat at 111.5 mph and traveled 435 feet to dead center. Read more on Tuesday’s action via MMO‘s Alexis Farinacci.

On Tuesday, the Mets officially demoted right-hander Jonah Tong to Triple-A Syracuse.

Jeff Passan of ESPN recently interviewed McLean. “As soon as the batter stands in there… I’ve got to throw my best stuff,” McLean said. “I think I’m just fascinated and in love with the competition.” Drawing on his football background, he compared the rhythm of starting pitching to a weekly gridiron matchup. “It’s kind of like a football game… you get one a week, and it’s a buildup to it,” he said.

In an interview, Bryce Harper praised McLean, saying he was especially impressed by the young pitcher. “I told him the other day I don’t give pitchers much credit as a hitter. I think he was the best arm I saw last year,” Harper said.

Carlos Mendoza told SNY that he plans to start Luis Robert Jr. on Thursday for his first Grapefruit League game.

Latest MLB News

ESPN reports that Reds ace Hunter Greene will undergo elbow surgery to remove bone chips and is expected to be sidelined until July. Manager Terry Francona and the Reds’ front office are optimistic, noting that Greene’s eventual return will function like a mid-season trade-deadline acquisition. Francona later announced that Andrew Abbott will now start Opening Day for Cincinnati.

Latest on MMO

Rafael González takes a look at Ronny Mauricio and Carson Benge‘s terrific springs.

Robert Colonna wrote up the Mets’ most controversial top prospects.

On This Date in Mets History

Born on This Date: Dock Ellis (1945), Steve Reed (1965), Bobby Abreu (1974), Rich Hill (1980), Jeremy Hefner (1986), Matt Festa (1993).

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