Star pitcher shares blunt message about spring training after WBC

Lance Lynn is back in camp with the Chicago White Sox after pitching for the United States in the World Baseball Classic. So, what has the return to “regular” spring training been like for Lynn?

Kind of dull.

Lynn spoke on Saturday about pitching in the Cactus League after the thrill ride that was the WBC. He made it clear that it doesn’t have the same feeling.

“It was completely boring,” Lynn said, per Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times. “But it’s part of it. WBC was fun. I had a good time and the intensity was high. It was fun to be a part of it. And then you have to come back and still get your work in. The first two didn’t really go well and after that I was ready to rock. Got 6 ups and 85 pitches or whatever. So we are right where we need to be.”

Lance Lynn on pitching in Arizona after the WBC: pic.twitter.com/YkF0ja33hd

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) March 26, 2023

It’s certainly understandable.

While it generated controversy, namely due to some key injuries that took place during it, the World Baseball Classic had incredible energy. That lasted down the final pitch, when Japan’s Shohei Ohtani struck out his Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out, sealing Japan’s victory. Spring training doesn’t have anything close to that kind of emotion.

Ultimately, though, Lynn did pitch well in Saturday’s outing against the Cincinnati Reds.

He lasted 4.2 innings, allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He’s not in midseason form. But despite the boredom, Lynn does seem to be about ready for Opening Day.

[Daryl Van Schouwen]