Garrett Whitlock status update as WBC final nears in ET
garrett whitlock became a key point in Team USA’s pitching picture heading into the World Baseball Classic final, after manager Mark DeRosa said he is “good to go” for Tuesday’s championship game (ET).
What Happens When Garrett Whitlock is “good to go” in a stretched pitching situation?
Team USA reached its third straight World Baseball Classic final after a tense semifinal win over the Dominican Republic. The final will be played Tuesday (ET) against the winner of Monday’s Italy-Venezuela semifinal.
DeRosa indicated that the team is short on pitching at this stage of the tournament, with reigning Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal done. He also described how the bullpen has been pushed hard to navigate the tournament’s workload demands.
Against that backdrop, DeRosa’s Monday comments placed garrett whitlock in a more settled category than some other arms. DeRosa said garrett whitlock is “good to go for the final, ” while adding that Mason Miller “definitely wants the ball. ” DeRosa also noted uncertainty about David Bednar’s availability, saying he did not know if Bednar would be available.
What If the rumored Garrett Crochet plan had materialized?
Speculation surfaced after Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet was scratched from a Sunday spring training start, with some wondering if that opened a path for Crochet to start Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic finale for Team USA. DeRosa shut down that line of thinking in his Monday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show, ” saying Nolan McLean will start the game.
DeRosa addressed the rumors directly and said he tried to get Crochet on the team “from jump, ” but indicated it did not make sense given Crochet’s workload with the Red Sox. Crochet threw a career-high 205 1/3 innings last season, and he and the Red Sox have been extra cautious with his workload this spring. Crochet also recently said he skipped the WBC because he wanted a “normal spring training, ” which would not have been possible if he had played in the tournament.
In the immediate term, Crochet is expected to pitch in a minor league game on Monday as he continues preparing for his Opening Day start against the Cincinnati Reds next week, leaving Team USA to pursue the title without him.
What Happens Next for Team USA’s plan on Tuesday (ET)?
DeRosa’s plan for the final includes McLean as the starter, with garrett whitlock described as available. Beyond that, the wider picture remains shaped by the workload already absorbed by the staff through the tournament, plus the evolving availability of specific relievers. DeRosa’s comments also highlighted the competitive edge of pitchers wanting the ball in high-leverage moments, while acknowledging that not every option may be on the table.
As Team USA turns the page to the championship game Tuesday (ET), the clearest personnel signal from DeRosa was that garrett whitlock is ready, even as other pitching decisions continue to hinge on readiness and availability.
