Team USA manager Mark DeRosa reveals reason for not bringing in All-Star closer in WBC final

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The United States fell in theWorld Baseball Classicin a thriller on Tuesday night in Miami, while their All-Star closer kept a seat warm in the bullpen.

Mason Miller did not enter the championship game against Venezuela after getting saves against Canada and the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals andsemifinals on Friday and Sunday, respectively.

After Bryce Harper homered in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at two, it prompted a perfect scenario for a closer to enter the game in the ninth, as typically, closers pitch in tie games as the home team in the top of the ninth.

Mark DeRosa and Mason Miller

Mason Miller of Team USA shakes hands with Manager Mark DeRosa after receiving this silver medal after the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game presented by Capital One between Team Venezuela and Team USA at loanDepot Park on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami, Florida.(Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Instead, Mark DeRosa opted for Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock, who gave up the winning run.

DeRosa, who said before the game Miller was available, revealed that Miller’s availability was only under one condition.

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“Honoring the[San Diego] Padres,” DeRosa said, hinting that the Padres told DeRosa that Miller could only be used in a save situation.“Had we taken the lead, he was coming in, but I wasn’t going to bring him in into a tie game.”

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Mason Miller

Mason Miller of Team United States pitches in the ninth inning against Team Dominican Republic during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026, in Miami, Florida.(Gene Wang/Capture At Media/Getty Images)

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Of course, a save situation was never going to happen once the United States entered the ninth inning without a lead.Thus, Miller ultimately was never made available.

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Contrary to apparently popular belief, the United States was not the only team in the WBC to abide by restrictions set out by MLB clubs. 

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For example, the Detroit Tigers would not allow reliever Enmanuel De Jesus to pitch under any circumstances on Tuesday, while theChicago Cubssaid closer Daniel Palencia, like Miller, was only allowed to pitch in a save situation.

Venezuela celebrates a WBC win

The Venezuela team celebrates after defeating Italy at a World Baseball Classic semifinal game in Miami, Florida, on March 16, 2026.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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There was pregame speculation thatNew York Yankees closerDavid Bednar was entirely unavailable for Team USA on Tuesday after also pitching Friday and Sunday.

Eugenio Suarez’s RBI doublegave Venezuela its first World Baseball Classic title in the short history of the event, which began in 2006.For the U.S., it was its second consecutive loss in the title game after winning it all in 2017.

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