Cubs in the WBC: Marcus Stroman, Roenis Elías, Owen Caissie turning heads

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs manager David Ross didn’t catch all of Team Puerto Rico’s 9-1 victory against Nicaragua on Saturday, but he saw enough to know right-hander Marcus Stroman pitched well in his first start of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

“I saw a couple of his dances on the mound,” Ross said. “You know he’s feeling sexy when that happens.”

Stroman limited Team Nicaragua to one run in 4⅔ innings. Stroman is the most high-profile of the Cubs participating in the WBC this year, but several of them -already are making an impact on their -respective teams.

Outfield prospect Owen Caissie homered in his WBC debut with Team Canada, logging three RBI in a 2-for-5 day. Jared Young also started for Canada on Sunday and drew three walks in their 18-8 victory over Great Britain.

Non-roster invitee Roenis Elias threw five scoreless innings in his first start for Team Cuba, limiting Italy to two hits.

First-base prospect Matt Mervis went 1-for-3 with a walk for Team Israel.

On Team Italy, Miles Mastrobuoni recorded four hits, including two doubles, in his first 14 at-bats of pool play. Ben DeLuzio has shown off his speed with a triple. Vinny Nittoli has held opponents to one run in 2⅓ innings with six strikeouts.

Entering Sunday, the Cubs had yet to see appearances from outfielder Nelson Velazquez (Puerto Rico) and Javier Assad (Mexico) in the tournament. The -quarterfinals begin this week in Miami and Tokyo.

BREWERS 5, CUBS 3

• Giving up hard contact has been an issue for Cubs right-hander Adrian Sampson in his spring starts. He gave up two more home runs, but he said he was “very happy with how my stuff was playing today.”

• Lefty reliever Brandon Hughes gave up two runs, but the rest of the bullpen — Keegan Thompson, Michael Fulmer, Rowan Wick and Manuel Rodriguez — combined for four scoreless innings.

• Left fielder Ian Happ hit his first home run of the spring, a towering two-run shot that cleared the right-field berm.

• On deck: The Cubs have their first off day of the spring Monday. They return Tuesday to face the Rockies in a night game at Sloan Park (8:05 p.m., Marquee). Lefty Justin Steele is scheduled to take the mound for the Cubs.