Rangers Ace Martin Perez Starting Venezuela WBC Opener

Texas Rangers pitcher Martín Pérez was named the starter for Venezuela’s first game in the World Baseball Classic.

Omar Lopez, the manager of the Venezuelan national team, made the announcement on Thursday.

Pérez will face the Dominican Republic on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT at LoanDepot Park in Miami. The game will be broadcast on FS1.

It’s already been an eventful week for Pérez, who joined the Venezuelan team for a short training camp. On Wednesday before an exhibition against the Houston Astros, he sang the country’s national anthem before the game.

Pérez made his last Rangers spring start on Saturday, and joined Venezuela expecting to start in the WBC. He threw a side session on Monday in Miami before the Astros exhibition game.

Now he’ll start his country’s opener in Pool D, which includes Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Israel. The Israeli team is managed by Rangers Hall of Famer Ian Kinsler.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is not concerned with the workload for Pérez, who's worked two three-inning games this spring and has thrown about 55 pitches in each game. 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, who is now a Miami Marlin, and Atlanta’s 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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