Do starting pitchers have to go to every game?

Question

Does a starting pitcher have to go to every game (when there not going to play)? Or can they leave during a game?

Answer 1

Nope, they go to the Local Bar and get drunk while watching the game on TV.

Of course they have to go to every game! Every player does no matter what, they could need them, incase of extra innings, etc.

Answer 2

It's usually understood that they have to be at the game in the dugout and in uniform even if they're not playing.  If they were really ill, or had some emergency then obviously they could make an exception.  The only other exception I've seen was with Roger Clemens when he was on the Astros a few years back, he had an agreement with the team that he wouldn't have to go on road trips if he wasn't going to be pitching during any of the games.

Answer 3

I think they have to go to every game. I think it would be rude to leave. You're part of the team. How would the pitcher like it if all the other starting pitchers or players not playing left while he was pitching? It's always great to get support from your teammates, so I believe they go to every game.

Answer 4

yes, because they could still be needed if it came to that, and they are still part of the team

Answer 5

Yes they do unless you a Roger Clemens for the past 5 years or Randy Johnson for the 2 years

Answer 6

they have to go every game, you never know when you'll have an extra inning game in which they are needed, also, they're part of the team and it's just disrespectful to only go when you're going to play

Answer 7

they can probably leave if they want to if their not pitching.

Answer 8

No they don't attend every game, but they attend just about all of them.  The only reason they miss games is if they're playing an away game at night that they're not pitching in it followed by an afternoon game at home.  Most pitchers will leave the team early and head back to get a good nights rest for the next days game.  If this is not the case they are at the field doing what pitchers do on off days, bullpen sessions, simulated games, meet with the trainer and watch film of their next opponent.

Answer 9

Typically, yes.  However, starters that are scheduled to start the next day in a different town will typically fly to that other town earlier than the rest of the team and miss the game that's taking place that day.  Sometimes, pitchers that are scheduled to start a day game the next day will miss a night game to go home and get to sleep early.  Johan actually did this Saturday night because he was scheduled to pitch on Sunday afternoon.

Roger Clemens (the spoiled brat that he is) worked out a deal with the Astros a couple years ago when he un-retired (for like the 3rd time) where he would only have to show up on days he pitched and some other pre-arranged days, and he usually didn't have to travel on road trips where he wasn't scheduled to pitch.

But that was an extremely rare circumstance.