New York Yankees pitcher David Bednar could be set to miss Team USA’s World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday night in Miami, it has emerged.
There are also concerns over closer Mason Miller, who followed Bednar and shut out the Dominican Republic on Sunday night in USA’s gripping 2-1 triumph to make the tournament’s showpiece game.
With the opening day of the Major League Baseball season just days away, there is scrutiny over the pitch count of both Miller and Bednar although as it stands, Bednar is apparently the most likely to miss out.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman revealed the news about Bednar on Monday, shortly after San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen had aired his concerns about Miller.
‘Not ruled out, not decided,’ Stammen said about Miller’s availability for USA. ‘How we do with every pitcher, we evaluate them after their outing, see how they feel and then calculate when their next outing’s going to be. So he’s in that same boat.’
It would be Miller’s third pitching appearance in five days if he takes to the mound on Tuesday night and speaking Monday, he accepted that it is something he has to be mindful of.
David Bednar could miss the USA’s WBC final on Tuesday night to manage his pitch count
There are the same concerns about closer Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres
‘I’ve got to be smart about it, too,’ he said, while admitting he wants to be available for the game. ‘If I say I’m good to go, they’re going to be supportive of that.’
Bednar struck out two in the seventh on Sunday night with a man in scoring position and has stacked 79 pitches in four USA appearances. Miller has thrown 40 pitches in five days.
The USA will meet the winner of Monday night’s semifinal between Venezuela and Italy.
The MLB season starts next Wednesday for Bednar – a day earlier than everyone else with his Yankees team on the road against San Francisco Giants, live on Netflix.
As for Miller and the Padres, they start Thursday at home against Detroit Tigers.
