Mason Miller Might Not Be Available for USA in WBC Final, Padres Manager Talks Closer's Status

The United States is one win away from claiming the 2026 World Baseball Classic title, but it might not have lockdown closer Mason Miller available for Tuesday's final.

"Not ruled out, not decided," San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen told reporters Monday when discussing Miller's status. "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."

United States manager Mark DeRosa told reporters there is yet to be a serious discussion about the right-hander's availability after he pitched three times in the last five days, although he hopes the closer can pitch.

Having the WBC so close to the start of the Major League Baseball season means handling the pitchers can present a difficult situation.

They surely want to take the mound for their countries, but there is also the entire 162-game season looming. Keeping them healthy for that campaign also has to be a priority, especially for some of the relievers like Miller who have pitched so often.

San Diego starts the season on March 26 against the Detroit Tigers.

"It's very difficult," Stammen said. "And the whole country wants Mason Miller to pitch the ninth inning on [Tuesday]. And you've got Mark DeRosa ... there's a lot going on behind the scenes on who he can pitch, when he can pitch and how he can pitch it."

The United States will face the winner of Monday's semifinal between Italy and Venezuela after defeating the Dominican Republic on Sunday.

Despite the comments from the two managers, Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported "Miller is thought likely to be unavailable" for Tuesday's contest.

Miller delivered one of the most important innings of work for the Red, White and Blue for the entire tournament Sunday when he struck out two in a scoreless ninth with his team holding onto a narrow 2-1 lead.

His final strikeout of Geraldo Perdomo came with the tying run on third base and on a controversial strike call. Had the pitch been called a ball, Miller would have had to face Padres teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. with the game on the line.

Fortunately for the United States, it didn't come down to that as the shutdown closer secured the win.