Texas Rangers Ace Martín Pérez Crushes Venezuelan National Anthem
Texas Rangers lefty Martín Pérez will pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
And, apparently, sing.
Watch and listen to the last season's Rangers ace honor his country with its national anthem before Wednesday's exhibition against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach.
Pérez and the Venezuelan national team are in Pool D. Pool games — Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Israel — start Saturday and will be played at LoanDepot Park, the home of the Miami Marlins.
He will likely be the starter Sunday against Puerto Rico. That was the plan going into the week.
“I told them if I’m gonna be there I’m going to start because I have to get ready for the season,” Pérez said. “They told me that was OK.”
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is not concerned about his workload, as Pérez worked two three-inning games so far this spring and has thrown about 55 pitches in each. Plus, WBC pitchers are limited to 65 pitches in an appearance.
Pérez is part of a star-studded Venezuelan team that includes Astros infielder José Altuve, reigning American League batting champion Luis Arráez, and Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., who helped that franchise to the 2021 World Series title.
Pérez will be part of a 14-player pitching staff for Venezuela.
Last season Pérez went 12-8 with a 2.89 ERA in 32 starts. He earned his first All-Star Game appearance and had one of the best months of May in Rangers and baseball history, which ultimately led to American League Pitcher of the Month honors.
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