Team USA’s one-two punch of Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal will be short-lived.
Skubal, the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner, announced Monday that he plans to make just one start in the 2026 World Baseball Classic before returning to Tigers camp, according to The Athletic.
The 29-year-old’s lone appearance is expected to be an abbreviated start during pool play on March 7 against Great Britain.
“I’m trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA but I understand the need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season,” Skubal said. “I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful they took me in that capacity.”
Skubal added that he will push to rejoin the squad as a spectator should the team reach the tournament finals.
“If they go to the finals, I think I’m going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys,” he added.
Skubal’s one-and-done plan dampens what was expected to be a dominant rotation fronted by him and Skenes, a fellow 2025 Cy Young winner.
Skubal told 97.1 The Ticket in February that he “bought in” on joining the roster after extended talks with agent Scott Boras, Tigers manager AJ Hinch and Skenes.
“It was pretty easy to convince me because I was already kind of bought-in on it, and he confirmed everything that I thought,” Skubal said. “I think it’s great for the game of baseball, too. Just from a fan perspective, when you get to watch something with that kind of atmosphere and electricity in March, I think it’s going to bring a lot of eyes onto our sport in April and May. I think the game of baseball’s in a really good spot, and I think this really helps elevate it.
“For me, I take a ton of pride in being able to wear the USA across the chest,” Skubal added. “It’s something I’ve never had the opportunity to do, and I take a ton of pride in the United States of America. It’s the best country in the world.”
The decision comes just weeks after Skubal secured a record-breaking $32 million salary for 2026 in arbitration with the Tigers.
Detroit countered at $19 million, intensifying speculation that Skubal — slated for free agency after the season — could be dealt.
In November, noti.group’s Jon Heyman reported a staggering $250 million gap in extension talks between Skubal and the Tigers.
Over the past two seasons, Skubal has cemented himself as arguably the game’s best pitcher, going 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA and 469 strikeouts in 387 ⅓ innings across 62 outings.
Despite losing the arbitration case to Skubal, Detroit responded by opening the checkbook to bolster the starting rotation.
The Tigers signed star left-hander Framber Valdez and reunited with franchise icon Justin Verlander.
With the Tigers expected to compete for the postseason and Skubal’s looming free agency, Team USA will get a brief cameo instead of a full commitment.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
