Former MLB player Chris Denorfia and former San Marino and Rimini favorite Jack Santora will serve as coaches for Team Italy under the leadership of manager Mike Piazza in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Both having worn the Team Italy jersey as players, Chris Denorfia and Jack Santora are returning to the Azzurri squad as accomplished MLB-affiliated coaches for the World Baseball Classic (WBC), scheduled from March 8 to 21, 2023.
 
Denorfia represented Team Italy in the 2009 and 2013 WBC editions. A 10-season MLB veteran from 2005-2015 playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs, the outfielder played a total of 808 games and made 2385 plate appearances with a lifetime average of .272 / .330 / .392. He began his minor league career in 2002 and played in a total of 746 MiLB games.