San Diego Padres and Team USA relief pitcher Mason Miller has had a great start to his career in Major League Baseball. Through his first three years in the majors, the right-hander has appeared in 125 games, pitching to a 2.81 ERA in 160 innings, striking out 246 batters while walking just 65. He has converted 50 of 57 save situations across those outings.
Miller made one All-Star Game appearance in 2024 when he was with the Athletics. That was the organization that selected him in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Gardner-Webb University.
On the day of last season’s trade deadline, Miller was sent to the Padres along with left-hander JP Sears in exchange for four prospects.
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Miller had an unbelievable end to his year after being traded to San Diego. In 22 appearances with the Padres, he had a 0.77 ERA in 23 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out 45 opposing batters with 10 walks.
This spring, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native decided to represent his country in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. So far in the tournament, Miller has made four appearances, tossing four hitless innings with 10 punch outs and two walks. This includes a save in the semifinal round against Team Dominican Republic on Sunday.
On Monday, an update on Miller’s availability for Tuesday’s WBC final was revealed, as Miller may not be available to pitch, according to The Athletic’s Maria Torres and Dennis Lin.
Team USA closer Mason Miller is thought likely to be unavailable for the finals Tuesday @Ken_Rosenthal 1st mentioned @WBCBaseball
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 16, 2026
Padres manager Craig Stammen spoke on whether he would allow Miller to pitch again on Tuesday as the beginning of the 2026 MLB season looms.
“Not ruled out, not decided,” he said, per Torres and Lin. “How we do with every pitcher, we evaluate them after their outing, see how they feel and then calculate when their next outing’s going to be. So he’s in that same boat.”
While this is not a definitive answer, it does add some doubt in the minds of Team USA fans who are hoping to see their country win the WBC title for the first time since 2017.
The WBC final between Team USA and either Team Italy or Team Venezuela is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Fox on Tuesday at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The game will be live on Fox.
Related: Team USA’s Nolan McLean Makes ‘Crazy’ Confession on World Baseball Classic Final Start