Jesus Luzardo Rejection Leaves Team Venezuela With WBC Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Mar 15, 2026 2:59 PM ET

Team Venezuela upset Team Japan 8-5 in Saturday's World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarterfinal, but not because of its starting pitcher. Southpaw Ranger Suarez allowed all five runs across 2.2 innings before the bullpen tossed 6.1 shutout frames to end the contest.

Suarez is one of MLB's best Venezuelan pitchers, as he went 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA over 26 starts for the Philadelphia Phillies last season and was an NL All-Star in 2024. However, the 30-year-old got shelled by a Japan lineup that attempted to defend its 2023 WBC title.

Venezuela tried to add another accomplished hurler to the staff after escaping with the win, but it didn't work, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

"Team Venezuela wanted to add Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo to the pitching staff for the next round, manager Omar Lopez said, but were turned down," he reported. "They’ll instead add 36-year-old Jose Alvarez to the staff."

Team Venezuela wanted to add Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo to the pitching staff for the next round, manager Omar Lopez said, but were turned down.
They’ll instead add 36-year-old Jose Alvarez to the staff.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 15, 2026

Luzardo could have been a difference-maker for Venezuela, as he went 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA over 32 starts for the Phillies in 2025. Conversely, Alvarez hasn't pitched in MLB since 2022 and has spent the last two years in the Mexican Baseball League.

Lopez and company must decide whether they will use the latter pitcher against a Team Italy lineup full of MLB players like first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, outfielder Jac Caglianone, and outfielder/designated hitter Dominic Canzone in Monday's semifinal.

Italy May Force Venezuela's Hand

Venezuela manager Omar Lopez (22) Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

It wouldn't be ideal to use Alvarez in a high-leverage spot on Monday right after adding him to the squad, especially since most of Venezuela's other pitchers are MLB players. However, Italy might leave it no choice depending on how the game goes.

Italy has scored at least seven runs in each WBC game thus far and has scored eight three times. If Pasquantino and company tee off on Venezuela's best pitchers, Alvarez may have to come in to get outs.

Right-hander Keider Montero will start for Venezuela on Monday, per Nightengale. The 25-year-old tossed three scoreless innings in Monday's 4-0 win over Nicaragua and logged a 4.37 ERA over 20 outings (12 starts) for the Detroit Tigers last season. If he can toss at least four or five innings against Italy, it will put less stress on the bullpen as the squad tries to eliminate the tournament's Cinderella team.

Italy will start right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who logged 4.2 shutout innings in Tuesday's 8-6 win over Team USA. The 34-year-old went 7-11 with a 4.64 ERA in 27 appearances (26 starts) for the Colorado Rockies last season.

The game will start at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday and will be broadcast on FS1. It will be played at loanDepot Park in Miami.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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