MLB Notes: Mark DeRosa misspeaks as USA stumbles, Caleb Durbin set for Red Sox hot corner

Hours before Team USA suffered an embarrassing 8–6 loss to Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, manager Mark DeRosa said during an MLB Network interview that he believed his team had already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals.

They had not.

“Ton of respect for Italy. It’s weird, we want to win this game even though our ticket’s punched to the quarterfinals because Mexico plays Italy, actually,” DeRosa said. “So, the way the schedule lines up, this is an important game for us.”

DeRosa’s comments drew plenty of scrutiny online as Tuesday night’s game unfolded and Italy jumped out to a commanding 8–0 lead, a deficit that came after his decision to sit starters Bryce Harper and Alex Bregman.

After the game, DeRosa said he “misspoke” when he stated that the United States had already advanced.

“I was on ‘Hot Stove’ with a couple of buddies today and completely misread the calculations,” DeRosa told reporters after the loss. “We knew Mexico was going to play Italy and running all the numbers with if we lost tonight with the runs allowed and runs scored and outs. So, I just misspoke.”

The United States’ fate in the World Baseball Classic now rests on the outcome of Wednesday’s game between Mexico and Italy.

If Italy wins, the U.S. will advance. If Mexico wins in nine innings and scores five or more runs, the United States will advance. If Mexico wins in nine innings and scores fewer than five runs, the U.S. will be eliminated.

Team USA suffered one of the most embarrassing losses in World Baseball Classic history. A stunned crowd of 38,643 fans at Daikin Park — along with millions watching at home — witnessed a costly managerial blunder by DeRosa.

"It’s tough," Yankees captain Aaron Judge said. "You always like having destiny in your hands. We had it right in front of us. ... It’s out of our control now. We just need a little luck, and we’ll see what happens."

DeRosa acknowledged that he misspoke, but it was clear the team wasn’t entirely on the same page with its manager. Players were also forced to downplay whether they celebrated a little too much the night before, after DeRosa told reporters that “we’ve got a few guys dragging.”

DeRosa insisted it was simply the result of a good win against a rival.

“It was a nice win Monday night against Mexico,” DeRosa said. “We hadn’t beaten them the last three times we played them in the WBC. Guys were excited about it. I think that’s searching.

"We didn’t hit for five innings. Didn’t get rolling until late. Italy played well. Hit a couple of homers."

Judge, who struck out with the tying run on first base to end the game, said he was aware that a win on Tuesday would have clinched a spot in the quarterfinals. He also dismissed the idea that the team’s gathering the night before had anything to do with the loss.

“No, not at all,” Judge said. “Everybody on this team has been enjoying this experience. You get a chance to have these guys all in one clubhouse — share stories, share at-bats, share any information that can make each other better. That’s what we were doing Monday night.

“We had a win and guys were just hanging out a little bit. We were focused on what we had to do today. Italy is a great team, and they definitely showed it today.

“But whatever happened Monday had nothing to do with what happened today.”

Now, Team USA can only watch from afar and hope for the right outcome on Wednesday. If Italy wins, the United States advances. If Mexico wins, the Americans need Mexico to score enough runs to keep their tournament hopes alive.

If the U.S. gets in, it will play a quarterfinal game Friday, March 13, against Puerto Rico, Canada, or Cuba, and Tuesday’s ugly loss can quickly be forgotten. If not, the Americans will fail to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in World Baseball Classic history.

Who Will Start Opening Day on the Hot Corner for the Red Sox?

Alex Cora essentially confirmed that infielder Caleb Durbin will be the Red Sox’ Opening Day starter at third base. Cora told reporters he feels “very comfortable with him at third base.”

Durbin started 119 games at third base for the Brewers last season, compared to just three at second.

“At the end of the day, it’s who we feel more comfortable with at which position — and also the player,” Cora said. “I don’t want Caleb moving from second to third during the season. I want him to play one position only and then just go do your thing at the plate.”

Cora also likes Durbin’s arm at third, which played a major role in the decision.

“He has a good arm,” Cora said. “He was banged up last year, and I think that actually helped him with everything he's doing right now. I’ve seen a lot of third basemen with cannons at third base, but their footwork isn’t great. This kid has a good arm and great footwork.”

If Durbin is indeed the Red Sox’ third baseman, the next question becomes who will handle second base.

Marcelo Mayer still needs to secure a spot on the 26-man roster, but barring a last-minute trade, he should have the inside track.

With Durbin at third, Trevor Story at shortstop and Willson Contreras at first base, Boston’s infield defense already looks improved from last season. Mayer is a sure-handed defender who would give the Red Sox a boost wherever he plays.

What’s Up with the Bullpen?

Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten, Greg Weissert and Zack Kelly appear locked in as five of Boston’s eight relievers on Opening Day, assuming everyone remains healthy.

Jovani Morán also projects to make the bullpen as the club’s second left-handed option behind Chapman. That likely leaves two spots still up for grabs.

Coming into camp, Rule 5 Draft pick