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It was quite the evening for Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who put on a show for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pasquantino hit three home runs vs. Mexico on Wednesday evening, becoming the first ever player to accomplish the feat in the WBC.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Not only did Pasquantino make history, but his performance also helped Team Italy and the United States advance to the quarterfinals of the classic, thanks to a dominant win over Mexico.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Michael Wacha returned to the Royals\u2019 Spring Training facility after his stint with Team USA, ready to get back to work with his Kansas City teammates in anticipation of Opening Day just over two weeks away. Wacha threw off the mound Wednesday and is scheduled for three innings in his next Cactus League start on Friday night against the D-backs.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIt was all around just a great experience,\u201d Wacha said. \u201cFrom being in the clubhouse with those guys to the atmosphere out there playing in those games, getting those juices flowing again. It really did just create a lot of excitement for myself getting this season started up. It\u2019s a couple of weeks away now, and just fired up to be back here and get this season rolling.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Royals got swept in split squad action yesterday against the Cubs and Giants, but Gavin Cross, Brett Squires, Elias D\u00edaz, Luca Tresh, Peyton Wilson and Blake Mitchell all homered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Royals Keep asked if Michael Massey\u2019s injury opens up a roster spot for Josh Rojas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In other WBC news, the Dominican Republic beat Venezuela, Maikel Garcia went 4-4 with a walk as well. Former Royal Angel Zerpa threw a scoreless inning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chourio exploded onto the scene in 2025 with 63 strikeouts and only five walks across 51 1\/3 innings while climbing from the DSL to Single-A Columbia. His mid-90s fastball and upper-70s curveball both receive strong reviews, but it\u2019s the ability to command the ball that has Kansas City officials so excited about his future. It\u2019ll also help him rank among the Minors\u2019 top five in K-BB% (min. 70 IP) in just his age-18 season.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n