Cardinals’ Arenado hit by pitch at WBC one night after Altuve breaks thumb

MIAMI — Nolan Arenado left Team USA’s 14-2 win over Cuba within the World Baseball Classic semifinals Sunday within the fifth inning after he was hit on the hand by a pitch.

X-rays on Arenado’s hand got here again adverse, but it surely comes one night time after Jose Altuve left a quarterfinal between the U.S. and Venezuela with a damaged proper thumb.

Arenado didn’t return to the sport, which the U.S. led 6-2 at that time, principally out of precaution.

“Nolan’s fine,” Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said after the win, which sent the U.S. to its second straight WBC final. “I think he would have fought me on it if the score was different.”

Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals third baseman, grimaced then flexed and unflexed his proper hand after being struck by an 88.9 mph fastball thrown by Cuba pitcher Elian Leyva. Arenado shook his hand in frustration earlier than leaving the sector and exiting the dugout to be checked out.

Arenado was changed by Bobby Witt Jr.

Just 4 days in the past, New York Mets All-Star nearer Edwin Díaz sustained a season-ending knee harm in the course of the postgame celebration of Puerto Rico’s 5-2 win over the Dominican Republic.