Rockies lefty Kyle Freeland stepped in for Nestor Cortes on the Team USA staff, after the Yankees starter pulled out of the World Baseball Classic on Monday with a right hamstring strain.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to represent Team USA at the World Baseball Classic," Freeland tweeted on Monday. "Being able to play in this event is a true dream. It's even more exciting to share the moment with 6 of my Rockies teammates also representing their countries. Now let's go win this!"
After six seasons, Freeland ranks ninth all-time in Rockies victories, and his 114 ERA+ is second in franchise history. Freeland went 9-11 with a 4.53 ERA in 31 starts in 2022. The ability to pitch in hitter-friendly Coors Field should come in handy when facing the All-Star-quality squads from around the globe.
Freeland joins a Team USA staff that includes starters like St. Louis' Adam Wainwright and Miles Mikolas, longtime Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw and Lance Lynn of the White Sox.