HOUSTON (AP) — Randy Arozarena had vulgar words for Seattle teammate Cal Raleigh after he was left hanging at the World Baseball Classic.
Arozarena, a two-time All-Star outfielder, seemingly lashed out at Raleigh after the Team USA catcher did not accept a handshake before an at-bat in the United States’ 5-3 win over Mexico.
Speaking to Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert in Spanish, Arozarena said Raleigh “has to thank God that he has nice parents, well educated,” and said he recently hugged them during a friendly greeting at the team hotel.
He then used profane Cuban and Mexican slang to insult Raleigh before pivoting to English and saying Raleigh could shove his “good to see you” in his rear. Arozarena was born in Cuba but defected to Mexico to pursue an MLB career.
Arozarena had reached down to greet Raleigh in his catcher's squat at home plate, and Raleigh declined to offer his hand back. Raleigh appeared to say something to Arozarena during the exchange at the plate that could have set off the Mexican star.
Arozarena appeared to be visibly upset at Raleigh, though it wasn’t totally clear if he was just having fun at his teammates’ expense. The pair have been teammates since Arozarena was traded from Tampa Bay to Seattle during the 2024 season.
Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run drive in a big third inning to lead the United States to the win. The U.S. improved to 3-0 and will meet Italy (2-0) on Tuesday night, seeking to secure a spot in the quarterfinals in Houston this weekend.
Jarren Duran homered twice for Mexico (2-1), which will face Italy on Wednesday night in the last game of Group B play.
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United States pitcher Garrett Whitlock, right, and catcher Cal Raleigh celebrate after the team's victory over Mexico in a World Baseball Classic game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Mexico's Randy Arozarena doubles during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Brazil, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of the Chaldean Catholic bishop of San Diego, California, a decision announced Tuesday by the Vatican after the bishop was arrested on embezzlement and money laundering charges.
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta pleaded not guilty to 17 felony charges during his arraignment in court in California on Monday. Many of his supporters were present.
Shaleta is accused of embezzling $270,000 from the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon.
Shaleta was detained March 5 at the San Diego International Airport, attempting to leave the country, and jailed, the San Diego County Sheriff’s office had said. The office said it acted after someone from Shaleta’s church provided a statement and documentation “showing potential embezzlement from the church.”
The judge set bail at $125,000. Prosecutor Joel Madero said Shaleta was a flight risk, but his attorney said the flight was pre-planned.
During a recent Mass, Shaleta addressed allegations against him, saying he has never “abused any penny of the church money.”
“On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations of the church properly," he said at the time.
Shaleta's lawyer, Sharon Appelbaum, said she planned to show that the allegations were false. The priests of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle released a statement in solidarity with Shaleta.
Madero, the prosecutor, said the allegations against Shaleta are connected to monthly rental payments of over $30,000 from a tenant of the church’s social hall that allegedly were missing. He said there were discrepancies in church accounts. He said Shaleta “provided completely unreasonable tales of where that money was going” and could not give proof of where it went.
The Vatican said in its daily bulletin Tuesday that Leo had accepted Shaleta’s resignation under the code of canon law for Eastern Rite churches, which allows for the pope to agree if a bishop asks to step down.
Leo actually accepted the resignation when Shaleta presented it in February, but an announcement was not made until Tuesday, according to the Vatican embassy in Washington. The Holy See appears to have waited to announce the decision to avoid interfering with the police investigation.
Leo named Bishop Saad Hanna Sirop as a temporary administrator.
Shaleta, 69, was ordained a priest of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Detroit in 1984. He was named to the San Diego branch of the Eastern Rite Catholic Church in the U.S. in 2017.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Pope Leo XIV visits the parish complex of the Santa Maria della Presentazione on the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Leo XIV visits the parish complex of the Santa Maria della Presentazione on the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The head of Vatican Security, Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti, center, follows Pope Leo XIV as he visits the parish complex of Santa Maria della Presentazione on the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
