Dominican Star Soto Does Dugout Pushups After Warning Track Flyouts

Teammates give Soto some good-natured ribbing after he just misses two home runs in World Baseball Classic win.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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In a dominant 10-1 victory for the Dominican Republic over Israel in the World Baseball Classic, star outfielder Juan Soto twice hit balls to the warning track that were caught by the center fielder. After the second flyout in the 9th inning, Soto's teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made him do pushups in the dugout as a bit of playful punishment, with the rest of the team counting along.

Why it matters

The Dominican Republic team has been one of the most powerful offenses in the tournament so far, leading all teams in home runs. Soto, one of the game's biggest young stars, is a key part of that lineup, so his teammates holding him accountable for just missing a couple homers shows the fun, competitive spirit within the dugout as they chase a World Baseball Classic title.

The details

After Soto's second warning track flyout in the 9th inning, his teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pointed to the ground, indicating that Soto needed to do pushups as a result. Soto dropped down and did around 10 pushups as his teammates counted them out. Another teammate, Fernando Tatis Jr., who had hit a grand slam earlier in the game, applauded Soto's quick workout.

  • Soto hit the first warning track flyout in the 9th inning.
  • Soto hit the second warning track flyout in the 9th inning, prompting the pushup punishment.

The players

Juan Soto

A star outfielder for the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic, known for his powerful bat.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

A teammate of Soto's on the Dominican Republic team, who initiated the pushup punishment after Soto's second warning track flyout.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

Another teammate of Soto's on the Dominican Republic team, who had hit a grand slam earlier in the game and applauded Soto's pushups.

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What they’re saying

“Doesn't matter how much you get paid. Still some good-natured ribbing in that dugout.”

— Paul Severino, FS1 play-by-play announcer (FS1)

What’s next

The unbeaten Dominican Republic team has secured its spot in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, meaning Soto and his teammates will have plenty more opportunities to showcase their powerful offense.

The takeaway

The Dominican Republic's dominant performance in the World Baseball Classic so far, led by stars like Juan Soto, has been fueled by a fun, competitive spirit within the dugout, where teammates hold each other accountable in good-natured ways like making Soto do pushups after just missing a couple home runs.