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Back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal was always expected to return to the Detroit Tigers after making one start in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) for Team USA.
He even had support from his teammates, who understood why he was leaving the tournament early.
But what Skubal didn’t expect was the negative reaction from American fans on social media, who compared him to the infamous American traitor Benedict Arnold.
Yes, some have called Skubal equivalent to Arnold, who changed his American uniform for a British uniform during the Revolutionary War. Skubal doesn’t think it’s fair, especially since he hasn’t gone to another WBC team.
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Tarik Skubal of the United States reacts during a World Baseball Classic Pool B game against Great Britain at Daikin Park on March 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
Instead, he returned to his MLB team to continue preparing for an important season ahead of a potential free agent offseason following the 2026 campaign.
“It’s just not fair,” Skubal said of the Arnold comparison, via The Athletic. “But it’s part of the business. It’s part of the game. If they know me, on a personal level, and if they know what my peers think of me, I don’t think it’s fair to say those things.
“That was always the plan, and as emotional as I wanted to (stay), it just didn’t make sense, given the timing.”
TARIK SKUBAL LEAVES TEAM USA TO RETURN TO TIGERS CAMP DESPITE MIXED FEELINGS AFTER SUCCESSFUL START
It is perhaps fitting that Skubal’s start came against Great Britain given the angle of vitriol he received, but he appeared to have doubts about that initial plan after starting the 9-1 victory.
“I didn’t expect these types of emotions to go through my brain or for my thoughts to differ,” Skubal told reporters, according to ESPN. “I was pretty determined to get a start and get back to camp.
“Things have changed, obviously. That’s why I’m going to have some conversations and try to find a plan for myself. But yeah, I don’t know anyway.
Tarik Skubal of Team USA throws the first inning during a 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game against Great Britain at Daikin Park on Saturday, March 7, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB)
“It’s hard to get by” after celebrating at Daikin Park last week.
But he consulted with coaches and teammates before ultimately deciding to stick with the original plan.
“He got both Cy Young awards, but this guy is about to make half a billion dollars here this next offseason,” Team USA captain Aaron Judge said, according to USA Today.
“So for him to put everything on the line for his country and come here and show up for us. … You know, maybe it’s just one game, but you know there’s a risk in everything you do, and for him to take that risk and come here and be with us, the boys love it.”
Since then, things have gotten a little tense for the American team, which was expected to get through Pool B relatively easily to advance to the quarterfinals in Miami. Instead, Team USA was shockingly upset by Italy, 8-6, on Tuesday night, and its progression now hangs in the balance.
Tarik Skubal of the United States before his start in a World Baseball Classic Pool B game against Great Britain at Daikin Park on March 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
Team USA will be watching closely as Italy takes on Mexico in a matchup that will determine which two teams advance. Team USA either needs Italy to win outright or Mexico to win by scoring five or more points.
Skubal will likely be watching in hopes of his U.S. team traveling to Miami. He said he would try to be there if they reached the WBC final on March 17.
