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Tarik Skubal will carry the Star-Spangled Banner next month, but not for long.
The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner is committed to playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but his Detroit Tigers go first, and the schedule doesn’t exactly allow 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 normally pitch once every five days, this is not unusual. But with Skubal’s skillset, he could have lined up to throw twice – however, that was always the plan.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws during 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] “I wanted to keep the momentum from 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 figured out which games I’m going to watch. If they go to the finals, I think I’m going to try to push to just go watch and be with the guys. But yeah, I just make one start, get back on track and come back here.”
“There’s obviously some risk, and I’m trying to do both things: try to pitch for Team USA, but I also understand that I need 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 in that capacity.”
Skubal is scheduled to pitch in the season opener on March 26. So the Tigers structured his schedule to align with that date, prompting him to kick off on March 7 against Great Britain.
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 purpose of my participation in the WBC was to make sure that I could maintain a normal workload of a spring training program and be able to get a start for Team USA and then come back here and continue my normal routine to prepare for opening day,” Skubal said. “I think everything is going to stay the same. I’m not speeding up any sooner than I have to. I don’t want that narrative to get out there.
“I’m treating it like I’m joining Team USA, I’m getting a start, I’m coming back to Lakeland and I’m getting ready for opening day.”
It’s worth noting 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 earn $32 million this season, the highest salary for an arbitration-eligible pitcher.
After Team USA’s golden goal against Canada on Sunday, he can’t wait to represent his country even more.
“I think the whole (clubhouse) erupted when Team USA scored that goal. Hopefully it has a similar impact for Team USA in Miami and being able to celebrate with these 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 playoffs at Minute Maid Park. (Trojan Taormina-Imagn Images)
“I know it’s not a gold medal, but it’s still the World Baseball Classic.”
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