Porcello says he skipped WBC to focus on Red Sox preparation

After throwing 37 pitches in a simulated game Sunday, 2016 American League Cy Young winner Rick Porcello touched on his decision not to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, pointing specifically to how it would interfere with his groundwork for 2017.

"I mean, I wouldn't be ready to compete in a game in the WBC," Porcello said, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. "I feel really good right now, but that's just a different type of pitching. Our responsibilities, at least me, my responsibility is with the Red Sox and being sure that I'm ready to go here. I think that that at least in my head would take away from some of the preparation I want to go through.

"If I want to work slow and focus on my fastball command for an extended period of time, you're not necessarily going to be able to do that when you're competing in a game and I've got Miguel Cabrera at the plate with second and third and one out. I'm not going to just serve up some fastballs to him. There are definitely some guys that are capable of doing it. Right now, at this stage for me, I couldn't really fathom pitching in a competitive game like that. Not that I'm going through the motions in spring training games, but it's different."

While no official decision has been made, Porcello looks to be on track to start Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox, who will start their season at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 3.