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The United States fell out of the World Baseball Classic in a thrilling game Tuesday night in Miami, and their All-Star closer is keeping the seat warm in the bullpen.
Mason Miller sat out the championship game against Venezuela after earning saves against Canada and the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals and semifinals on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
After Bryce Harper hit a home run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game with two outs, it caused a perfect tie to enter the game in the ninth, as usual, a close field in tied games as the home team in the top of the ninth.
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Team USA’s Mason Miller shakes hands with Manager Mark DeRosa after receiving the silver medal after the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game presented by Capital One between Team Venezuela and Team USA at Depot Park on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami, Florida. (Photos by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB via Getty Images)
Instead, Mark DeRosa opted to relieve Boston Red Sox shortstop Garrett Whitlock, who gave up a run with a win.
DeRosa, who said before the game that Miller was present, indicated that Miller’s availability was subject to one condition.
“Respect [San Diego] Padres,” DeRosa said, pointing out that the Padres told DeRosa that Miller could only be used in a save situation.
Mason Miller of Team United States pitches 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, the save situation would not have happened if the United States entered the ninth inning without a lead. So, Miller was ultimately never found.
Contrary to popular belief, the United States was not the only team in the WBC to abide by the restrictions imposed by MLB clubs. FOX radio talked about how Venezuelan manager Omar Lopez was on the phone with MLB team officials the morning of the game about certain pitchers’ rules.
For example, the Detroit Tigers would not allow reliever Enmanuel De Jesus to pitch under any circumstances on Tuesday, while the Chicago Cubs said closer Daniel Palencia, like Miller, was only allowed to pitch in a save situation.
Team Venezuela celebrates after defeating Italy in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Miami, Florida, on March 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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There was speculation before the game that New York Yankees closer David Bednar was completely unavailable for Team USA on Tuesday after sitting out Friday and Sunday.
Eugenio Suarez’s RBI double gave Venezuela its first World Baseball Classic title in the short history of the event, which began in 2006. In the US, it was its second straight loss in the title game after winning it all in 2017.
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