Japan, Venezuela
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Team Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announced he will step down from his position after the World Baseball Classic. Japan was eliminated from the WBC on Saturday with an 8-5 loss to Venezuela in the tournament quarterfinals.
Japan will face its first stiff test in its quest for a fourth World Baseball Classic championship Saturday night. After sweeping through Pool C with a 4-0 record, Japan will take on Venezuela in the quarterfinals.
Shohei Ohtani is set to make his spring training pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers following Japan's elimination in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Reliever Daniel Palencia is surrounded by his teammates after Venezuela defeated the United States for its first World Baseball Classic championship on Tuesday night. Megan Briggs / MIAMI — They brought together All-Stars and MVPs and future Hall of Famers.