MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Angel Zerpa #61 of Team Venezuela pitches against Team Japan during the seventh inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Angel Zerpa #61 of Team Venezuela celebrates retiring the side against Team Japan during the seventh inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Angel Zerpa #61 of Team Venezuela celebrates retiring the side against Team Japan during the seventh inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Angel Zerpa #61 of Team Venezuela celebrates retiring the side against Team Japan during the seventh inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Angel Zerpa #61 and Salvador Perez #13 of Team Venezuela celebrate during the seventh inning against Team Japan during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Angel Zerpa #61 and Salvador Perez #13 of Team Venezuela celebrate during the seventh inning against Team Japan during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

CAPTION CORRECTION: Please note that in image number(s) 2266558646 the player's identity is incorrect. It should be "Horomi Itoh #14 of Team Japan" NOT "Ezequiel Tovar #14 of Team Venezuela". We apologize for any inconvenience. MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Horomi Itoh #14 of Team Japan pitches against Team Venezuela during the sixth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan looks on standing on first base during the third inning against Team Venezuela during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)