NEW YORK (AP) — Tarik Skubal, a two-time American League Young Award winner for the Detroit Tigers, has agreed to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, joining a pitching staff that includes Paul Skence of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the defending NL Young Award winner.
The USA staff for the 2023 tournament does not include any pitchers who received Cy Young votes in 2022. The Japanese team won the championship 3-2.
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All-Star reliever Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres and David Bednar of the New York Yankees have also been added to Team USA’s roster for the tournament, which will be held March 5-17.
They join a pitching staff that includes Clay Holmes and Nolan McClain of the New York Mets and Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins.
Bednar and Williams return from the 2023 Team USA roster.
Position players on Team USA include catchers Carl Rowley and Will Smith, infielders Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr., outfielders Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge, and design hitter Kyle Schwarber.
Additionally, pitchers Matthew Boyd of the Chicago Cubs and Garrett Whitlock of the Boston Red Sox said they have been selected to make the roster.
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In 2023, each 30-man roster must include at least 14 pitchers, and Team USA has 15.
Depth is important due to pitching limitations. In 2023, pitchers are limited to 65 pitches in the first round, 80 pitches in the quarterfinals, and 95 pitches in the championship round, with the right to complete one home plate appearance beyond the limit.
In addition, you need to rest for 4 days after throwing 50 pitches, and you need to rest for 1 day after throwing 30 pitches. No one was allowed to play for three consecutive days.
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Associated Press MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
