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Tarik Skubal will don the stars and stripes next month, but not for long.
The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner has committed to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but his Detroit Tigers come first and the schedule isn’t exactly aligned for him to spend the entire tournament with the team.
Skubal announced Tuesday that he will make just one start in the WBC. Considering the maximum number of games a team can play is seven, and starters typically pitch once every five days, that’s not out of the ordinary. But with Skubal’s ability, he could have lined up to throw twice; However, that has been the plan from the beginning.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on September 6, 2025. (Rick Osentoski/Image Images)
“The reason I didn’t announce it [earlier] “I wanted to keep the momentum going in the WBC, but I’m only making one start and then I’ll stay for a few games,” Skubal told reporters Tuesday. “I haven’t determined what games I’m going to watch. If they go to the finals, I think I’ll try to push to just go watch and be with the guys. But yeah, I’m just making an outing and getting back on the court and getting back here.”
“There’s some risk, obviously, and I’m trying to do both: try to pitch for Team USA, but I also understand that I need to be here with these guys and prepare for the season. I think it’s the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful that they accepted me in that capacity.”
Skubal is scheduled to pitch on Opening Day, March 26, so the Tigers have structured their schedule to line up for that date, leading to him pitching on March 7 against Great Britain.
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after allowing a hit against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 14, 2025. (Jesse Johnson/Image Images)
“The goal of doing the WBC was to make sure I could maintain a normal workload in a spring training regimen and be able to start with Team USA and then come back here and continue my normal routine to prepare for Opening Day,” Skubal said. “I think everything will stay the same. I’m not going to speed up any sooner than necessary. I don’t want that narrative to come to light.
“I’m treating this like I’m going to Team USA, I’m going to start, I’m going to go back to Lakeland and I’m going to get ready for Opening Day.”
It should be noted that Skubal will hit free agency for the first time after this season and could be in line for a record payday. He recently won his arbitration case against the Tigers and will earn $32 million this season, the highest salary for any arbitration-eligible pitcher.
After Team USA’s golden goal against Canada on Sunday, he hopes to represent his country even more.
“I think everything (the clubhouse) erupted when Team USA got that goal. Hopefully, that will be a similar impact for Team USA in Miami and being able to celebrate with those guys, something special like that,” Skubal said.
Tarik Skubal reacts after a strikeout against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the wild card round for the 2024 MLB Postseason at Minute Maid Park. (Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
“I know it’s not a gold medal, but it’s still the World Baseball Classic.”
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