The San Diego Padres probably just took a big exhale because one of their starting pitchers, Nick Martinez, has decided to sit out the 2023 World Baseball Classic after previously committing to be a reliever for Team USA.
Nick Martinez has opted out of pitching in the WBC. Martinez, who pitched in the Olympics, described it as a tough decision but felt it would be unfair to his teammates if he risks opening the season not fully built up as a starter. Team USA had him on the roster as a reliever.