Team USA has made roster changes for the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals, replacing starter Tarik Skubal and two other pitchers with three relief specialists. The moves give manager Mark DeRosa more late-game options as the team prepares to face Canada on Friday.
Team USA has made significant changes to its pitching staff ahead of the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals, replacing three hurlers including starter Tarik Skubal with a trio of relief specialists.
The roster adjustments see Skubal, Michael Wacha, and Ryan Yarbrough departing the squad as manager Mark DeRosa shifts focus to bolstering his bullpen options. Skubal’s departure follows his predetermined plan to return to Detroit Tigers spring training after limited tournament action.
Taking their places are three seasoned relievers: Detroit’s Will Vest, Toronto’s Tyler Rogers, and New York Yankees’ Tim Hill. The additions provide DeRosa with enhanced flexibility for late-inning situations as Team USA potentially faces three games starting with Friday’s quarterfinal matchup against Canada.
Skubal contributed three innings during his sole WBC outing, helping secure a win against Great Britain before following through on his pre-tournament commitment to rejoin Tigers camp.
The incoming relievers bring substantial experience to the roster. Vest, a 30-year-old Houston native who will compete on home soil, recorded 23 saves last season while posting a 3.20 ERA across 250 1/3 career innings with Detroit.
Rogers, 35, was a workhorse for Toronto last year with 81 appearances, compiling an impressive 1.98 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 77 1/3 innings pitched.
Hill, 36, contributed a solid 3.09 ERA during his campaign with the Yankees last season.
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