Mark DeRosa's Reason for Mason Miller Decision in Team USA's Loss to Venezuela

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joey Linn | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 11:18 PM ET

Team USA fell to Venezuela in Tuesday night's World Baseball Classic championship game. Scoring just two runs on a Bryce Harper home run, the Americans fell 3-2 in what was another uninspiring offensive showing.

Harper's home run tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the lead was quickly surrendered in the top of the ninth when Garrett Whitlock gave up an RBI double to Eugenio Suarez. Whitlock entered the ninth with the game tied, but walked the leadoff hitter before surrendering the go-ahead double.

Whitlock's poor outing led to many wondering why San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller was not Mark DeRosa's option in that spot.

United States pitcher Garrett Whitlock (59)© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miller had been electric in the World Baseball Classic, pitching four scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. He closed out the semifinals victory over the Dominican Republic, and was reportedly available for this championship contest against Venezuela.

Mason Miller Was Only Available for 1-Inning Save Situation

Like Venezuela's closer Daniel Palencia, who closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning, Miller was only available to pitch in this game if it was a one-inning save situation. Ken Rosenthal reported this on the broadcast.

"Miller only in a one-inning save situation," Rosenthal reported in the second inning.

Most of Team USA's top bullpen arms are available tonight @Ken_Rosenthal gives us the latest pic.twitter.com/N5JaN1e9Pb
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DeRosa confirmed this postgame, telling reporters it was the Padres who placed this specific restriction on Miller (h/t Underdog MLB).

It was also reported on the broadcast that Palencia would only be available in this exact scenario. Because the game was tied in the ninth, DeRosa went to Whitlock over Miller. Had Team USA had the lead, making it a save situation, Miller likely would have been the option.

Miller appeared in 22 games for the Padres last season after being acquired from the Athletics. He gave up just two earned runs in 23.1 innings pitched (0.77 ERA) and struck out 45 of his 83 batters faced. He is one of the best relievers in all of baseball, and Team USA was unfortunately not able to use him in this big game due to the specific limitations on his availability.

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

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