starting pitcher
noun
baseball
: the pitcher who is playing at the beginning of the game
The manager removed the starting pitcher in the third inning.
Examples of starting pitcher in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Twins have agreed to contract terms for the 2026 season with all of their arbitration-eligible players except for starting pitcher Joe Ryan, meaning the team and one of its biggest stars are likely headed for arbitration.
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Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The Cubs have been shopping for a frontline starting pitcher for what seems like ages, and settled to some extent on a player who has that upside but will need some help to get there by acquiring right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Marlins for three prospects.
—Keith Law, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The Blue Jays had already signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract; KBO MVP Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract; and reliever Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million contract.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
The franchise’s previous largest deal went to starting pitcher Luis Severino, who signed last December for $67 million over three seasons as a free agent.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 26 Dec. 2025
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Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The Cubs have been shopping for a frontline starting pitcher for what seems like ages, and settled to some extent on a player who has that upside but will need some help to get there by acquiring right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Marlins for three prospects.
—Keith Law, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The Blue Jays had already signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract; KBO MVP Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract; and reliever Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million contract.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
The franchise’s previous largest deal went to starting pitcher Luis Severino, who signed last December for $67 million over three seasons as a free agent.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starting pitcher
Cite this Entry
“Starting pitcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starting%20pitcher. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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