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Tarik Skubal will don the Stars and Stripes next month, but not for long.
The two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner committed to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but his Detroit Tigers come first and the schedule isn’t exactly ready 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 usually pitch once every five days, that’s not out of the ordinary. But with Skubal’s skill, he could have lined up to pitch twice – this has been the plan all along, though.
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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/Imagn Images)
“The reason I didn’t announce it [earlier] was I wanted to keep the momentum going at the WBC, but I’ll start just once and then I’ll stay for a couple of fights,” Skubal told reporters on Tuesday. “I haven’t decided which fights I’m going to watch. If they go to the final I think I’ll try to lobby just to watch and be with the guys. But yeah, I’ll just start once and get back on track and get back here.”
“Obviously there’s some risk, and I’m trying to do both things — trying to pitch 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 kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful that they took me on in that capacity.”
Skubal is scheduled to pitch on Opening Day on March 26, so the Tigers have structured his schedule to pitch on that date, making him pitch on March 7 against UK.
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after giving up a hit against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 14, 2025. (Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)
“The whole point of me doing the WBC was to make sure I could stay on a normal workload of a spring training regimen and be able to start for Team USA and then come back here and continue my normal routine to get ready for opening day,” Skubal said. “I think everything will stay the same. I’m not moving up earlier than I need to. I don’t want that narrative out there.
“I’m processing this as I go to Team USA, start, come back to Lakeland and get ready to go for opening day.”
It should be noted that Skubal is set to hit free agency for the first time after this season and could be in line for a record salary. He recently won his arbitration case against the Tigers and will make $32 million this season, the largest salary of any arbitration-eligible pitcher.
After Team USA’s golden goal against Canada on Sunday, he looks forward to representing his country even more.
“I think the whole (clubhouse) erupted when Team USA gets that goal. Hopefully it’s a similar effect for Team USA in Miami and to be 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 in Game 1 of the wild card round of the 2024 MLB Postseason at Minute Maid Park. (Troy Taormina-Imagn Photos)
“I know it’s not a gold medal, but it’s still the World Baseball Classic.”
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