Tarik Skubal’s stint with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic will be short-lived.
The Detroit Tigers ace and reigning two-time Cy Young winner told reporters Monday that he’ll make one WBC start and then be done with the tournament. It sounds like the start will come in pool play, rather than in the knockout rounds.
Skubal shared the plan from spring training in Florida and explained that he’ll prioritize getting ready for Detroit’s season after his start.
“I’m trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA, but I understand the need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season,” Skubal said, ]
The decision appears to be a compromise from the Tigers, allowing Skubal to pitch for Team USA while limiting his exposure and injury risk. The Tigers are coming off a season in which they bounced back from a regular-season collapse that allowed the Cleveland Guardians to win the AL Central to clinch a wild-card berth and beat the Guardians in the wild-card round. They lost to the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS.
Detroit is projected to contend for the AL Central title in 2026, and Skubal’s health and performance will be a big part of those plans.
After exhibitions against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies, Team USA will begin pool play in the WBC against Brazil on March 6. The WBC finals are scheduled for March 17.
MLB’s full Opening Day slate, including Detroit’s season opener against the San Diego Padres, is scheduled for March 26.