DeRosa added that two-time American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is expected to start Saturday against Great Britain, followed by National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes against Mexico on Monday.
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New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean is tentatively scheduled to start Tuesday in the final pool game against Italy, even though he is dealing with an illness and was not with the U.S. team for Monday’s practice.
“It’s set up,” DeRosa said. “Obviously there are barriers to the tournament, to begin with, as far as the pitch count, but there are also barriers for guys who have to pitch on certain days to prepare for their team’s opening day.”
The United States will play two exhibition games in Arizona on Tuesday and Wednesday before traveling to Houston for the WBC opener against Brazil. Skenes will start Tuesday’s game against the Giants. DeRosa said Matthew Boyd, Gabe Speier, David Bednar, Griffin Jax and Mason Miller will also take the mound.
Skubal is expected to make just one start for the United States before returning to the Detroit Tigers for the remainder of spring training.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB