Lugo and Díaz pitch shutout ball for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic win

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Seth Lugo made a successful return to the World Baseball Classic on Friday.

Lugo helped Puerto Rico to a 5-0 win over Colombia in their Group A opener. The right-hander pitched four-plus innings of three-hit ball at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

“That was awesome. Every inning you could feel the fans,” Lugo said. “Go out there and get the W. It was really special for me, something I won’t forget.”

Edwin Díaz worked the ninth for Puerto Rico. Tito Polo led off with a pinch-hit single and advanced on a passed ball before Díaz struck out the side.

The 31-year-old Díaz missed the 2023 MLB season after he hurt his right knee while celebrating a Puerto Rico victory in the World Baseball Classic.

“Unbelievable moment for us to see Sugar coming in from the bullpen and to hear the crowd, not only for him but for his family to be here and that moment for him,” Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said. “I’m excited for him.”

The 36-year-old Lugo also played for Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC. He went 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA in three starts, striking out 12 in 15 innings.

The Louisiana native started the 2017 final against the United States. He surrendered four runs and five hits in four-plus innings in an 8-0 loss.

Facing Colombia in this year's edition of the international competition, Lugo breezed through the first inning before running into trouble in the second.

Colombia put runners on second and third with one out. But Lugo escaped the jam when he retired Carlos Martínez on a flyball to left and struck out Brayan Buelvas swinging.

He surrendered two one-out singles in the fourth before Martínez bounced into an inning-ending double play.

Lugo was replaced by Rico Garcia after issuing a leadoff walk to Buelvas in the fifth. The Kansas City Royals pitcher got a warm ovation from the crowd of 18,793 as he walked off the mound.

“Yeah, that was really cool. I got goosebumps,” Lugo said. “I get goosebumps now thinking about it. You come off, and the fans are chanting your name. That doesn’t happen all the time. That’s really, really special.”

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Puerto Rico pitcher Edwin Diaz reacts at the end of a World Baseball Classic game against Colombia in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Puerto Rico's pitcher Seth Lugo pitches in the first inning against Colombia during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Puerto Rico pitcher Edwin Diaz reacts at the end of the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Colombia in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Puerto Rico's pitcher Seth Lugo pitches in the first inning against Colombia during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS

The World Cup will be played in 16 cities from June 11 to July 19, including 14 in the U.S. There are players in Major League Soccer vying for spots on the 26-man U.S. roster, to be announced by coach Mauricio Pochettino in New York on May 26. Six-to-10 MLS players are projected to make the roster. Additional players will be selected for other teams in the 48-nation World Cup field. In 2022, 35 MLS players were on rosters of 12 of the 32 teams.

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FIND PLAYERS WITH TIES TO YOUR LOCAL TEAM

View this spreadsheet to find MLS players who are competing for a spot on a FIFA World Cup Team. The spreadsheet also includes their hometowns and where they went to school.

Some spots are already secured or likely, but final rosters are expected to be published by FIFA on June 1. Some coaches may announce before that. Changes can be made up until 24 hours before a team’s first game.

The spreadsheet includes players from the following U.S. and Canadian club teams:

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Columbus Crew

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Inter Miami

LA Galaxy

LAFC

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The FIFA logo is displayed on a World Cup countdown timer outside BC Place stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday, May 4, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)