Logan Webb pulls out from Team USA; Doval, Pederson will play

Logan Webb, the San Francisco Giants’ rising homegrown ace, generated fanfare in December when it was announced that he had committed to pitch for Team USA in this spring’s World Baseball Classic.

Webb, however, wasn’t on the Team USA roster unveiled Thursday afternoon on MLB Network.

The exclusion of the Giants’ young righthander shouldn’t come as a too big of a surprise, after Webb politely declined to answer WBCrelated questions at fan fest last weekend. While it wasn’t clear whether the decision came from Webb or the team, the Giants won’t complain about less strain on Webb’s valuable right arm — even if it does take away the enticing possibility of Webb facing his teammates in their March 8 scrimmage at Scottsdale Stadium.

Webb, 26, is coming off a season in which he set career highs in innings pitched and games started, with a 16-9 record and career-best 2.90 ERA, and has his sights set on reaching the 200-inning threshold this season. While Webb made his first Opening Day start last season, the Giants are expecting him to further ascend into their ace this season without a partner such as Carlos Rodón or Kevin Gausman atop the rotation.

Although it won’t be Webb, Giants fans will have a couple other reasons to tune in.

Camilo Doval will pitch for his native Dominican Republic, which features a stacked roster that includes 2022 NY Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, 2022 AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Rafael Devers and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Dominican pitching staff also includes a pair of former Giants: Johnny Cueto and Jarlín García.

Joc Pederson will also suit up for Team Israel.