Kansas City Royals reliever Luinder Avila wasn’t supposed to be in loanDepot park. In fact, the Royals didn’t originally approve Avila to play in the World Baseball Classic, but after Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez underwent Tommy John surgery, the Royals and the Caracas native had a conversation and eventually agreed that he could replace Lopez’s spot.

“In November, Omar (Lopez) called Kansas City, and they were in conversations, but Kansas City said no,” Avila said in Spanish. “Up until the end of spring training, the team called me to the office, and when Pablo got hurt, they told me that Venezuela still wanted me on the team. They had their meetings and decided that I would be in the World Baseball Classic.”

In his World Baseball Classic debut against the Netherlands, Avila went two innings, allowing one run (unearned) on one hit, walked three, and struck out two. That marked Avila’s World Baseball Classic debut. His two strikeout victims were Chadwick Tromp and Druw Jones. Avila’s fastball topped out at 96.6 mph and generated three whiffs, all with his curveball.

“They put me in the game when it was 2-1, so I just wanted to keep the game right there,” Avila said. “I wanted to give the guys a chance to hit. Simply, I didn’t try to do too much, just be myself and try to get outs.”

Venezuela still has games against Israel and Nicaragua before facing the Dominican Republic, which many are considering the biggest game of the tournament. It is unclear if Avila will be pitching in that game, but he does expect a packed house on March 11.

“We just need both sides to do their job and may the best team win,” Avilas said.

The Royals called up Avila to make his MLB debut in August of 2025, and in 13 games pitched, he posted a 1.29 ERA, 2.14 FIP, 10.29 K/9, and 3.86 BB/9 in 14.0 innings pitched. 

“I’d say it was perfect,” Avila said regarding his first stint in the majors. “I had a month that I wish I could have all the time and perform the way I did. I came in relief during my major league stint after being a starting pitcher in the minor leagues for the past eight years, and I’d say I did very well, but I can always do better.”

It is unclear whether Avila will pitch again in the World Baseball Classic, but when it comes to Avila in 2026, expect him to compete for a starting rotation job, and if he doesn’t get that, he can be a major piece out of the bullpen, helping out in a multi-inning relief role.

Kevin Barral is on-site in Miami covering the World Baseball Classic for DiamondCentric.