Mark DeRosa questioned after Team USA loss to Italy as decision to bench Alex Bregman and Bryce Harper backfires

Team USA is still alive in the World Baseball Classic 2026, but the team’s path to the quarterfinals has created a lot of debate around manager Mark DeRosa. Instead of qualifying comfortably, the Americans needed help from another result to stay in the tournament. When Italy defeated Team USA 8–6, the pressure quickly shifted toward DeRosa and the decisions he made before that game.

According to The Athletic, baseball reporter Ken Rosenthal pointed directly at one key decision. DeRosa chose to bench two of Team USA’s biggest stars, Alex Bregman and Bryce Harper, during the important matchup against Italy. The move surprised many fans and analysts because both players are known for delivering in big moments. After the loss, many people began asking the same question: why were two experienced players sitting out such a crucial game?

Mark DeRosa’s lineup choice involving Alex Bregman and Bryce Harper raises questions after Team USA loss to Italy

In the game against Italy, Mark DeRosa made several lineup changes that immediately drew attention. Instead of starting Bryce Harper at first base, he chose Paul Goldschmidt. At third base, he played Gunnar Henderson rather than Alex Bregman.

The results were mixed. Goldschmidt finished 1 for 3 and scored a run, while Henderson did manage to hit a home run, but he also struck out three times. Harper eventually entered the game later as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, replacing Goldschmidt.

Another change involved the middle infield. DeRosa started Ernie Clement instead of Brice Turang. Clement went 0 for 2, while Turang came in later and produced a double in a 1 for 2 performance.

Some observers believe DeRosa was trying to give certain players rhythm before the knockout stage. However, the plan did not work the way he hoped.

After the loss, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic suggested that the manager may rethink these decisions going forward.

Rosenthal wrote, “As for future lineups, here’s guessing DeRosa won’t start Paul Goldschmidt over Harper at first base, and maybe not Gunnar Henderson over Bregman at third, either.”

Rosenthal also explained why experience matters in pressure moments. “The choice of Henderson against Italy was defensible… but Bregman, who has 447 career plate appearances in the postseason, is far more experienced in high pressure environments.”

Another topic also added to the debate. During an earlier interview on MLB Network’s Hot Stove, DeRosa made a confusing comment about the importance of the Italy game.

He said, “It’s weird, we want to win this game even though our ticket’s punched to the quarterfinals.” Later, DeRosa admitted he “misspoke” and had “miscalculated.”However, former New York Yankees catcher Erik Kratz questioned that explanation during a discussion on Foul Territory.

Kratz said, “To me, everything lines up. If it smells like it, then it must be true because everything lines up. When I watch his body language… I think they truly thought they were in.” For now, Team USA moves forward in the tournament, but the spotlight on Mark DeRosa’s decisions is not going away anytime soon.