Pérez Returns to Texas Rangers Camp After World Baseball Classic

Last season's Texas Rangers ace Martín Pérez pitched in two games for Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic.

The World Baseball Classic didn’t end the way Martín Pérez and Venezuela wanted, but the Texas Rangers are glad last season’s ace is returning to MLB Spring Training.

“We all were pulling for him to pitch a good game,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “You feel for him, but yeah being selfish, I'm glad to have him back with the guys.

“But I wanted him to pitch well, I really did. But you know what? He’s been around and he’ll be fine, but it was a tough start.”

Pérez didn’t get out of the first inning of Saturday’s WBC quarterfinals matchup with Team USA. The lefty surrendered five consecutive singles and three runs before being pulled with just one out.

“I didn’t get to watch the game,” Bochy said. “I saw the highlights. I actually went to dinner with a couple of scouts and we thought there would be a TV there, but there wasn’t.”

Team USA would go on to win 9-7 on a late-inning Trea Turner grand slam. The Americans routed Cuban 14-2 on Sunday to advance to championship Tuesday in Miami.

Pérez started two games for Venezuela while at the WBC. Bochy wasn’t exactly sure when Pérez would be back with the Rangers, but didn’t sound too concerned about it.

“I would assume it will be in the next day or two,” Bochy said Sunday.

The Rangers appear to have five starters on track to be ready for the regular season. In addition to Pérez, Jacob deGrom is progressing nicely after his first MLB spring start with Texas on Sunday. Jon Gray, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney would round out the probable rotation.

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