U.S. captain Aaron Judge crushes 453-homer in preparation for World Baseball Classic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Aaron Judge looks ready for his first World Baseball Classic. Alex Bregman does, too.

As for the recently-retired Clayton Kershaw? Understandably a little rust.

Judge crushed a 453-foot solo homer in the first inning of the team's exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, the U.S. captain drawing a roar from the crowd and then “U-S-A!” chants in a packed ballpark at Salt River Fields.

Judge's no-doubter to left field off lefty Kyle Freeland left his bat at 115.9 mph. The three-time MVP is trying to lead the Americans to their first WBC title since 2017.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Judge said. “Getting a chance to be surrounded by the greatness we have in this room — MVPs, Cy Young winners, World Series champs, All-Stars — the list goes on and on. It's going to be a cool experience. You get the chance to play for your country and also learn a thing or two.”

Bregman homered for his third straight game, the second for the U.S., hitting a two-run shot to left field in fifth inning. Usually a third baseman, he played second as manager Mark DeRosa experimented with potential defensive lineups.

It was part of a five-homer day for the U.S. in a 14-4 win. Paul Goldschmidt, Will Smith and Byron Buxton also went deep. Brice Turang had two doubles and two RBIs.

The 37-year-old Kershaw was back on the mound for the first time since announcing his retirement from the Los Angeles Dodgers after a brilliant 18-year big league career. He surrendered a solo homer to Mickey Moniak on his third pitch.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner gave up two runs, a hit and a walk while getting two outs, but still received a standing ovation.

“It was special,” Kershaw said. “I think just being on this team is a bucket-list thing from the beginning. Obviously, I thought I was never going to throw a baseball again, so to get to do it again with Team USA across your chest and come back to that dugout is really special.”

DeRosa has said Kershaw is on the WBC roster as essentially an emergency option, valued more for his pitching wisdom and affable personality than his actual performance. Kershaw had an 11-2 record and 3.36 ERA for the Dodgers last season and helped the team win its second straight World Series while being limited to two postseason appearances.

The U.S. will travel to Houston for Friday's opener against Brazil. San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will be the starting pitcher. Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is expected to start Saturday against Britain, followed by NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes vs. Mexico on Monday.

New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean is tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday in the final group stage game against Italy, even though he’s dealing with vertigo-like symptoms and hopes to join the U.S. in Houston. DeRosa said after Tuesday’s 15-1 exhibition win over the Giants that McLean’s health was improving.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

United States' Alex Bregman takes a swing during batting practice prior to an exhibition baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

United States starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

United States first baseman Bryce Harper (24) makes a catch at first base to get Colorado Rockies' Adael Amador, left, out during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

United States' Aaron Judge rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Uniteds States' Bryce Harper, left, Aaron Judge, center, and Alex Bregman sit in the team dugout prior to an exhibition baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Elon Musk’s proposed Tesla tunnel loop under the streets of Nashville was met with opposition Tuesday by the metro council, which passed a resolution to put their concerns about safety, transparency and a lack of local input on the record.

The resolution, with 20 members voting for and 15 against with two abstaining, can’t force one of Musk’s companies to stop, stall or change their plans for the Music City Loop. But Nashville officials want to register their grievances after the politically connected tech billionaire’s company, The Boring Company, teamed up with willing state government partners to bypass local authority.

In July, Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and The Boring Company announced plans for the Music City Loop, featuring an initial 13-mile (21-kilometer) stretch that would include connecting the airport and downtown, which was later expanded to about 25 miles to include a second leg west of downtown. They promised a project that would come at no cost to taxpayers, albeit with free use of some state land near the Capitol. The first section of the tunnel is supposed to be operational by the first quarter of 2027.

The Nashville loop relies on a fleet of dedicated Tesla vehicles driven by trained drivers, with more than 30 stations being designed and the potential for more routes and stations. The company says the cost to ride is expected to be lower than other transportation options. The cars will be human-driven, though the company says it could explore autonomous vehicles in the future.

“Colleagues, public land needs to be for public good and public infrastructure decisions must prioritize the welfare, safety and express needs of Nashville residents,” said Delishia Porterfield, who sponsored the resolution, Tuesday night before the vote.

John Rutherford, a council member who voted against the resolution, asked his colleagues to set aside their political opinions about Musk. He said a vote of opposition would risk closing the door to any dialogue with The Boring Company.

A representative for The Boring Company did not immediately have a comment when reached by the AP.

The Boring Company has another Tesla tunnel in Las Vegas that already provides rides on the electric cars, though the full route isn’t finished. The company lists some research tunnels in use, including one in Texas in which passengers could travel in autonomous electric pods at upwards of 600 mph (965 kph). Plans for tunnels in some other cities have fallen through. Overseas, another Boring Company tunnel is planned for Dubai.

The Boring Company’s CEO Steve Davis said at the project’s announcement that they chose Nashville based on the need to address traffic and the partnership with state officials.

“Nashville has been fantastic. Moved at an incredible speed, so welcoming, so kind, so so friendly,” Davis said.

But Nashville officials, advocates and others seemed mostly blindsided at the announcement, and the council resolution questions why the city wasn’t “meaningfully” consulted about a major change to the transit roadmap in Music City, where transportation projects are still being rolled out after voters approved a transit-funding tax increase in 2024.

The resolution also draws attention to potential geological and environmental concerns, citing its underground porous limestone that creates risks for sinkholes and water movement, in addition to the city’s history of major flooding.

Last month officials from The Boring Company answered questions from the council and heard from residents, who voiced concerns about environmental impacts, safety of the tunnel and whether the company was compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Lindsay Lee, chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, said the company gave vague assurances that the vehicles would be ADA-compliant.

“As far as anyone is aware, they do not manufacture wheelchair-accessible Teslas," said Lee in an email interview on Wednesday. "Are we supposed to believe that will change in time for the proposed launch one year from now?”

The Boring Company says it has “a strong track record in safely managing variable ground conditions,” including in Las Vegas. David Buss, the vice president of commercial and government affairs, told the council that Nashville was “a great place to do tunneling,” as evidenced by existing tunnels built previously by other entities.

This isn’t the first time that a Musk-owned company has drawn criticism from Tennesseans for operating around regulatory loopholes and without advance notice. His xAI data center began operating in Memphis in 2024, powered in part by pollution-emitting gas turbines, without first applying for a permit, which led to residents loudly protesting at city meetings.

FILE - President and CEO of the Boring Company Steve Davis holds a hat during a news conference announcing the company's intent to build the Music City Loop, a private transportation tunnel that will connect the airport to downtown, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

FILE - People protest against the Music City Loop, an underground tunnel by Elon Musk's The Boring Company, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

FILE - Construction is seen for the Music City Loop, an underground tunnel by Elon Musk's The Boring Company, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)