Team USA manager Mark DeRosa disclosed why All-Star closer Mason Miller remained unused during Tuesday's World Baseball Classic final loss to Venezuela in Miami. The San Diego Padres mandated Miller could only pitch in save situations.
With the game tied in the ninth inning, DeRosa deployed Boston's Garrett Whitlock instead. Whitlock surrendered the winning run after Miller had recorded saves in earlier knockout rounds.
Venezuela claimed its first WBC title via Eugenio Suarez's RBI double. Team USA suffered consecutive championship defeats following its 2017 victory.