San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller spoke about not being used in Team USA's final loss in the World Baseball Classic.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic was full of excitement, and it ended with Team Venezuela defeating Team USA in a 3-2 finish on Tuesday night.
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller was dominant as could be during the tournament, which is no surprise after seeing what he has done during his MLB career.
Miller recorded the save in the semifinal win over the Dominican Republic, which is the same team that Manny Machado and Fernando Tatís Jr. were a part of.
However, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa made it unclear entering the final whether or not Miller would be available.
Then, after the loss, DeRosa admitted he didn't use Miller because he was "honoring the Padres," while adding that he would've used him only in a save situation.
On Thursday, Miller was asked about not throwing in the final game.
"I obviously want to pitch, but you look around the bullpen and see who else is down there," Miller said. "Obviously, as a competitor, I want to pitch."
Miller said that it seemed unlikely that he would be able to pitch three out of the five games, and he added he was grateful to be able to even be available at all.
Bryce Harper tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, and DeRosa used Garrett Whitlock to start the ninth.
However, Whitlock gave up the go-ahead RBI double to Eugenio Suarez, which ended up being the difference maker as the USA failed to score in the bottom of the ninth.
Miller's strikeout in the win over the DR was a controversial one due to how low it was, and it sparked a conversation about whether or not ABS should be instituted for the WBC going forward.
At the end of the day, Miller doesn't seem to have any ill feelings about not being used in the final game, especially given that it wasn't a save situation.
The question is this: Would DeRosa have used Miller if Team USA had a 3-2 lead going into the ninth? We will never know the answer, but just something to think about.
Now, Miller and the Padres are getting ready for Opening Day, and after being acquired at last year's trade deadline, fans are excited to see what an entire season of Mason Miller will be able to do as the team's main closer.