Daniel Palencia serves Cubs a Classic reminder

MESA, Ariz. — Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman and Daniel Palencia are wearing Cubbie blue again. Their Team USA and Venezuela uniforms are in storage now that the World Baseball Classic is over, although Palencia proudly wore a Venezuela jersey walking into the Cubs’ clubhouse Friday after the team’s day off.

Even though Venezuela defeated the USA in the title game Tuesday, Crow-Armstrong won’t forget the experience anytime soon.

“That was some of the more fun baseball I’ve ever been a part of,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I really enjoyed playing in front of the different crowds. American fans can take something from the joy and passion, the energy that is put out by these fan bases. It’s a really fun game, and they add to the excitement. I’d do it 10 times out of 10 if asked again.

“It was a bummer that we came up short. It was a good experience with all those guys, but ultimately it didn’t end the way we wanted.”

Was Armstrong happy for his teammate Palencia, who nailed down a 3-2 win in his fifth scoreless appearance of the tournament?

“I love Danny, but we lost, so ... ,” Armstrong said.

Shortly after Crow-Armstrong said that, Palencia walked past in his Venezuela jersey, making sure Crow-Armstrong saw it.

“It’s funny now,” Crow-Armstrong said. “It wasn’t funny then.

“He pitched out of his mind.”

Manager Craig Counsell said Palencia, who was in midseason form, will probably pitch in one game before camp breaks Tuesday.

Dan can do

Palencia was so filled with emotions in that moment Tuesday that he had tears in his eyes before he threw the last pitch of the tournament.

“I was crying. I knew that moment was mine. ‘I can do it, and he’s going to swing and miss,’ ’’ Palencia said. “I just knew it, you know? You have to be romantic with baseball.”

When Bryce Harper’s home run tied the game, Palencia said he prayed that Venezuela would take the lead so he could be put in the save situation he was dreaming of the night before.

“I am so happy, I have no words to describe it,” Palencia said.

Notes

Right fielder Seiya Suzuki (sprained right knee) didn’t play Friday but hoped to add some work to his routine Saturday. A decision on his availability for Opening Day on Thursday is expected in the next day or two. Suzuki could land on the 10-day injured list Sunday but have the stint backdated.

“We’ll make a decision at some point this weekend, but I think we’re making a short-term decision here,” Counsell said.

• Left-hander Justin Steele has thrown live batting practice twice in his comeback from elbow surgery. He is expected to join the Cubs in late May or June.

• Ben Brown had been getting starter’s innings for all of camp, but his one-inning outing Wednesday indicates a bullpen role might be in the works, as opposed to a starter’s role at Triple-A Iowa.

• Top Cubs prospects playing in the Spring Breakout game Saturday night against the Padres include shortstop Jefferson Rojas, first baseman Jonathan Long and infielder Pedro Ramirez. The Spring Breakout will expand to single-elimination tournaments in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues in 2027.

• Right-handers Ethan Roberts and Gavin Hollowell were optioned to Triple-A Iowa, reducing the spring-training roster to 44 with five days left in camp.