After a six-year hiatus, the 2023 World Baseball Classic officially begins on March 7, 2023. For the first time in its history, the tournament will consist of 20 teams, and more than 60 MLB All-Stars are expected to participate.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are being represented by eight players from their 40-man roster in the event, as well as third base coach Dino Ebel and three additional Minor Leaguers.
Opening rounds of the 2023 WBC will take place in Tokyo, Taiwan, Miami and Phoenix. The semifinals will then be held at loanDepot Park from March 19-20, and the championship game is also in Miami on Tuesday, March 21.
The 2023 WBC trophy was recently unveiled and is on display at the MLB Store in New York City through Friday.
This is what we play for. Introducing the 2023 #WorldBaseballClassic trophy! pic.twitter.com/RiphYPlQTU
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 22, 2023
Fox Sports will have exclusive coverage of all 47 tournament games across FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes, Tubi, and the FOX Sports app in the U.S.
Pool A consists of Team Chinese Taipei, Team Netherlands, Team Cuba, Team Italy and Team Panama; Pool B is comprised of Team Japan, Team South Korea, Team Australia, Team China and Team Czech Republic; Pool C is made up of Team USA, Team Mexico, Team Colombia, Team Canada and Team Great Britain; and Pool D includes Team Puerto Rico, Team Venezuela, Team Dominican Republic, Team Israel and Team Nicaragua.
The WBC is headed by MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA), and sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Wainwright disappointed Kershaw withdrew from World Baseball Classic
Clayton Kershaw initially was set to pitch for Team USA in the 2023 WBC but he had to withdraw due to being unable to secure an insurance policy. That is presumed to stem from the left-hander’s history of back injuries and significant left elbow trouble that surfaced in 2021.
Kershaw was disappointed that a resolution couldn’t be reached, and longtime St. Louis Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright also expressed dismay he will no longer be teammates with the three-time Cy Young Award winner in the tournament.
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