SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Logan Webb has played or watched his share of Cactus League games at Scottsdale Stadium during his decade-plus tenure as a Giant. Whether pitching or spectating, he has taken up residency in the first-base dugout. Two days from now, Webb will relocate from the visitor’s bunker — while wearing the stars and stripes.
Webb made his final Cactus League appearance before joining Team USA ahead of the World Baseball Classic, allowing one run over three crisp innings with three strikeouts. The two-time All-Star allowed a run in the first inning but retired the final seven batters that he faced. The next game at Scottsdale Stadium will be Tuesday as Webb and the United States face San Francisco in an exhibition leading up to the tournament.
“I definitely think there were some good nerves today, maybe knowing that I’m going to go pitch for Team USA,” Webb said. “Maybe that was in the back of my mind, but yeah, felt much-needed today. That was a good one to get out.”
Webb was so efficient (38 innings) that he went to the bullpen following his outing to throw about 15 more pitches. The right-hander is slated to throw around 60 pitches in his first start for Team USA, so the Giants had Webb get in a little more work after facing the Padres.
Mark DeRosa, the former Giant who’s managing Team USA, has yet to announce his starter for the United States’ first pool-play game against Team Brazil on Friday. Webb is currently lined up to make that start, but he did not reveal whether he’ll pitch that day.
Webb and Team USA practice on Monday at the nearby Papago Park Complex, the Giants’ minor league facility in Scottsdale. The next day, Webb and vice president of medical and performance Dave Groeschner will don the red, white and blue instead of the familiar orange and black. Webb said he’ll be in the Giants’ clubhouse the morning of the exhibition before taking off for the tournament.
“I think it’ll be easier to talk trash to Gresh than Webby,” manager Tony Vitello said after the Giants’ 9-1 win. “… It’ll be fun and it’ll be good to put some guys in our dugout in a position where they absolutely know they’re competing against the best.”
While Webb won’t pitch on Tuesday, he’ll enjoy the chance to chirp at his teammates. That includes right-hander Blade Tidwell, who will pitch against Team USA’s star-studded lineup featuring Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper and Cal Raleigh, among others.
Tidwell, 24, is putting together a compelling case to make the Giants’ Opening Day roster as a reliever. In his first outing, Tidwell pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts against the Seattle Mariners. In his second, he allowed two runs over two innings against the Colorado Rockies but generated nine whiffs, six being with his sweeper.
“He’s done really well so far,” Webb said. “I think everyone in here is pretty excited about him. It’ll be fun to watch him pitch against some of the best in the world. I don’t know who’s throwing for Team USA in that game, but I’m sure it’ll be a fun little matchup.”
Between Webb, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Team USA boasts one of the best rotations in the tournament. While Skubal will only make one start in the WBC, Webb and Skenes are both slated to make multiple starts.
The United States’ roster took a hit, at least for pool play, when one-time All-Star Joe Ryan sustained a back injury, but Webb remains confident in the team’s pitching staff. Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough will replace Ryan for pool play, and Ryan remains eligible to pitch if Team USA advances.
Webb is especially eager to see rookie right-hander Nolan McLean, who posted a 2.06 ERA over eight starts with the New York Mets last season.
“I’m excited just to watch some of these guys throw bullpens, let alone pitching in the game,” Webb said.
The U.S. hasn’t won the tournament since 2017, the lone time Buster Posey participated. Their roster has more than enough star power to avenge their loss to Japan in ’23, and the road to a second title begins on Tuesday with their exhibition against the Giants.
Worth noting
- Infielder Casey Schmitt celebrated his 27th birthday with a multi-hit day, recording an RBI single in the bottom of the first and a double in the bottom of the sixth.
- With left fielder Heliot Ramos having left to join Team Puerto Rico for the WBC, utility man Tyler Fitzgerald got a start in left field. Between the majors and minors, Fitzgerald played 16 games in the outfield last season. “I think we were waiting for the opportunity to involve everybody in the outfield that needs to be,” Vitello said. “Obviously, the WBC has more positive impact than negative with this group in particular. (Fitzgerald) is one example.”
- Jen Pawol, the first woman to umpire a regular-season MLB game, was the home-plate umpire for Sunday’s game.
