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Cubs drop WBC tune-up to Italy in Mesa, 9–4, with internationals set to depart
With several regulars bound for national teams — including Alex Bregman, Matthew Boyd, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Javier Assad, Miguel Amaya, Daniel Palencia, Seiya Suzuki and Jameson Taillon — the Cubs leaned on depth and positional shuffles for the tune-up. [1]Prospect Matt Shaw picked up outfield work, Michael Conforto handled right field and Pedro Ramirez saw time at third as the staff mixed looks. [1]The exhibition finished 9–4 in Italy’s favor, with the visitors breaking it open with four runs in the eighth. [1]All of it unfolded at the club’s Mesa spring complex, steps from Sloan Park’s fan-friendly footprint and practice fields. [2]