Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock will pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in March, he announced Saturday on social media.<\/p>\n
Whitlock joins a growing roster of stars already committed to represent the United States: Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, who was named Team USA captain in April and won his second consecutive American League MVP award<\/a> this month, as well as Pirates starter Paul Skenes, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, and Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.<\/p>\n Although enthusiasm for the WBC has grown over its two decades of existence, commitments have been harder to draw from starting pitchers because of the earlier buildup required. Whitlock, a year into his full-time relief role<\/a>, won\u2019t have such a problem, since bullpen arms need a shorter runway to get ready for game action.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old righthander is coming off his best season since he was a rookie in 2021. His 2.2 Wins Above Replacement total, as calculated by FanGraphs, was tied for third-highest among relievers \u2014 and was first among American-born relievers.<\/p>\n Whitlock posted a 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts<\/a> (to 24 walks) in 72 innings, a striking return to form after he missed almost all of 2024 because of elbow surgery. Along the way, he became manager Alex Cora\u2019s go-to setup man in front of closer Aroldis Chapman.<\/p>\n Team USA, managed by former big leaguer and current MLB Network personality Mark DeRosa, opens its WBC schedule March 6 in Houston.<\/p>\n Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @timbhealey<\/a>.<\/p>\n