Team USA manager Mark DeRosa is walking back a costly comment after mistakenly saying the Americans had already clinched a spot in the next round -- hours before a stunning 8–6 loss to Italy put the squad’s World Baseball Classic hopes in serious jeopardy.
DeRosa made the remark during an appearance Tuesday morning on MLB Network's "Hot Stove," where he suggested the U.S. had already punched its ticket to the quarterfinals. He even hinted the game against Italy would be used to give some regulars a breather.