WBC A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR MARTINEZ
Nick Martinez never wanted to skip the World Baseball Classic.
He often gets teary-eyed when talking about the experience of winning a silver medal with the United States in the Olympics in 2021.
His grandparents and his mother fled Cuba to live in the United States. So did his wife’s father and her grandparents.
So it hurt when he withdrew from the WBC roster in January, citing the desire to make sure he was ready to pitch in the Padres’ starting rotation this season after working largely as a reliever in 2021. He left open the possibility he would rejoin the U.S. team if it needed him and the circumstances were right.
It did, and they are.
It was announced Sunday that Martinez will pitch for the U.S. in next month’s tournament, replacing the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be even selected for Team USA,” Martinez said. “To wear that uniform is very special not only to me but to my family. My family comes from a socialist country and (came) to this country looking for opportunity. And in the same lifetime, they have a son and a grandson representing the country that gave them that opportunity is very special.”
The difference — what makes it feasible for him to participate in the WBC — is that while he was initially going to be a reliever, he will now start for the U.S.
“I definitely need to start,” said Martinez, who
threw just 1061⁄3 innings over 10 starts and 37 relief appearances last season. “I gotta get the progression to be ready for the season with the Pads.”
It isn’t known for sure when Martinez will start, but he and the Padres have communicated to the U.S. team their desire that he be able to make regular Cactus League starts.
“Obviously, my focus is still here,” Martinez said. “My priorities are still here, so try to stay here as long as I can before going out there.”
The United States team begins workouts March 7 in Scottsdale, Ariz. The first four U.S. games are at Chase Field in Phoenix.
The Dominican Republic team — for which Padres’ Nelson Cruz, Luis Garcia,
Manny Machado and Juan Soto are playing — is considered the WBC favorite. The United States is favored to make the final as well.
The quarterfinals, semifinals and final take place March 17 to 21 at loanDepot Park in Miami.
The United States’ other starting pitchers are Kyle Freeland (Rockies), Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks), Lance Lynn (White Sox), Miles Mikolas (Cardinals), Brady Singer (Royals) and Adam Wainwright (Cardinals). Kershaw reportedly was unable to secure the necessary insurance policy due to previous injuries.
“That Olympic team, we had some really … good young ballplayers,” said Martinez, who was able to participate for the U.S. because
he was playing professionally in Japan. “But with the Classic, MLB sends their best, the best of the best from every country. To be included in that is very special to me.”
More big names early
Padres fans coming to watch games in the first week or so of Cactus League play will likely get to see more big names than usual.
Xander Bogaerts, Nelson Cruz, Ha-Seong Kim, Manny Machado and Juan Soto are all participating in the World Baseball Classic. They will depart to train with their country’s teams at various points between Feb. 27 and March 6.
Manager Bob Melvin said those players will play “earlier on and maybe a couple
games in a row” in the first week of games, which begin with Friday’s exhibition against the Mariners at Peoria Stadium.
“Usually it’s one (game) on, one off for your veteran guys and maybe not even the first couple games,” Melvin said. “These guys are going to want to get in games and get some at-bats early on.”
One star who likely won’t be making a lot of early appearances is Fernando Tatis Jr. Melvin said Tatis likely won’t play Friday.
Tatis, whose suspension makes him ineligible to play in the WBC, had shoulder and wrist surgery in the offseason. He appears to be virtually full-go so far in workouts. But Melvin said again Monday the Padres are “going to ease him in based on the fact that he hasn’t played in quite some time and the fact he’s had two surgeries.”
All-out competition
The Padres roster is largely set.
But they have an abundance of options for extra outfielders. And presumably one of those men will fill in as the starting right fielder the bulk of the first 20 games of the season while Tatis is serving the duration of his PED suspension.
The likely leading candidate, however, might be slowed for a bit. Adam Engel, signed to a major league contract in the offseason that calls for him to make $1 million, has a mild calf strain.
Other candidates include David Dahl, a veteran who is in camp on a minorleague deal, and Jose Azocar, who played in 98 games as rookie in 2022. Matt Carpenter, expected to primarily be a designated hitter and fill in at the corner infield spots, will get time in the outfield in spring as well. So will Brandon Dixon, who had a 1.265 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A last season and made 14 plate appearances for the Padres. Dixon also plays the infield.
“We’ve got plenty of guys,” Melvin said. “… It’s going to be good competition for all these guys to get a good look and get plenty of at-bats. There aren’t many spots on the roster that are available, especially after Fernando comes back. So it’s going to be pretty good competition, which you like to have that dynamic some in spring training.”