A narrow 3-2 defeat to Venezuela on Tuesday night has ended Team USA’s run in the World Baseball Classic after strict Major League Baseball usage rules kept their best closer off the mound. With the game tied in the ninth inning at loanDepot Park, manager Mark DeRosa opted to leave star reliever Mason Miller in the bullpen despite the high stakes. The decision highlighted a growing tension between international competition and the professional clubs that pay the players’ salaries.

DeRosa explained after the game that the San Diego Padres had placed specific conditions on Miller’s availability during the tournament. The team requested that he only be used in save situations to protect his health ahead of the upcoming regular season. Because the game remained tied rather than having the Americans in the lead, the coaching staff felt obligated to honor the MLB club’s wishes. This left Garrett Whitlock to pitch the final frame, where he eventually surrendered the deciding run.

The restriction of talent has become a recurring theme for managers throughout the tournament as they balance the desire to win with dictates from front offices. Venezuela’s manager Omar Lopez faced similar hurdles on the morning of the game, receiving multiple messages from MLB teams asking him to bench specific relievers. These limitations often leave coaches with depleted bullpens during the most critical moments of the championship chase.

Beyond physical usage limits, the tournament struggled with insurance complications that prevented several other high-profile stars from even joining the roster. While the World Baseball Classic has reached new heights in global viewership and fan engagement, the push and pull with professional organizations remains a significant hurdle. Players and fans alike have shown they are fully invested in the event, but the underlying business of baseball continues to dictate what happens on the field.