Mariners Move Forward After WBC Mix‑Up

The World Baseball Classic is over, and the Seattle Mariners are eager to focus on the regular season. Randy Wilson says he’s happy to be back with his teammates and wants nothing from the tournament to distract him from winning a World Series. He stresses that the next big goal is March 26, when the season starts, and he wants to keep his mind on that date. Arozarena had a tense moment in Houston when a catcher from the U. S. team, Raleigh, refused his handshake during a WBC game. The incident was captured on video and went viral. Arozarena posted photos of friendly moments between other teams, like the Dominican Republic and Venezuela squads, but he also shared a clip of himself playing with a Brazilian infielder. The story sparked conversation among fans and reporters.Raleigh tried to smooth things over by calling Arozarena on FaceTime. He told him he was sorry if he felt disrespected and that the team is a family. Raleigh said he would do anything to help the Mariners win, just as Arozarena would if they were teammates in a playoff. The apology was meant to clear the air and keep the team united. Another teammate, Naylor, explained that the handshake incident was a joke. He said he had asked Arozarena to stop joking, but they are close friends and leaders in the clubhouse. Naylor is set to return to Seattle by weekend’s end, while Raleigh heads to Miami for the WBC semifinals against the Dominican Republic. The Mariners’ focus remains on the upcoming season and achieving a championship, with all players working together after the event’s drama.