Tigers’ Tarik Skubal limiting time with Team USA in World Baseball Classic

Tarik Skubal will be donning the Stars and Stripes next month, but it won’t be for long.

The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner has committed to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but the Detroit Tigers are the top seed and the schedule doesn’t lend itself well to him spending the entire tournament with the team.

Skubal announced Tuesday that he will only make one WBC start. This is not unusual, given that the maximum number of games a team can play is seven and starters normally pitch once every five days. But with Skubal’s skill, he could line up to shoot twice; but that was the plan all along.

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“The reason I don’t announce this is [earlier] “I wanted to keep the momentum in the WBC, but I’m just making a start and then I’ll stay for a few more matches,” Skubal told reporters on Tuesday. “I haven’t decided which matches I’m going to watch. If they go to the final, I think I’ll lobby to go and watch and be with the boys. But yeah, I’m just making a start and getting back on track and coming back here.”

“Obviously there’s some risk and I’m trying to do both; I’m trying to get on the field for Team USA, but I also understand that I have to be here with these guys and get ready for the season. I think it’s the best of both worlds in that respect and I’m grateful that they have me in that capacity.”

Skubal is scheduled to pitch on Opening Day on March 26, so the Tigers have structured their schedule to line up for that date, encouraging him to pitch on March 7 against Great Britain.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after giving up a fourth hit against the Minnesota Twins on August 14, 2025 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)

“The whole point of doing the WBC was to make sure I could stay in the normal workload of the spring training regimen and continue my normal routine to get a start for Team USA and then come back here and get ready for Opening Day,” Skubal said. “I think things will stay the same. I’m not accelerating any earlier than necessary. I don’t want this story to get around.

“I’m treating this like I’m going to go to Team USA, be a starter, come back to Lakeland and get ready to go to Opening Day.”

It should also be noted that Skubal will enter free agency for the first time after this season and could be in for a record payday. He recently won his arbitration case against the Tigers and will earn $32 million this season; That would be the highest salary among arbitration-eligible pitchers.

He’s looking forward to representing his country even more after Team USA’s golden goal against Canada on Sunday.

“I think when Team USA got that goal the whole clubhouse erupted. Hopefully it will have a similar effect for Team USA in Miami and being able to celebrate with these guys will be something special like that,” Skubal said.

Tarik Skubal reacts following the strikeout against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the 2024 MLB Postseason wild-card round at Minute Maid Park. (Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

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“I know it’s not a gold medal, but it’s still the World Baseball Classic.”

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