Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal to Make Just 1 Start for Team USA in World Baseball Classic

Skubal plans to stick to his regular spring training regimen with the Detroit Tigers.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 7:33am

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Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, plans to make only one start for the United States in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Skubal wants to remain on his regular spring training schedule and ramp up for the Tigers' opening day, making his WBC appearance just a one-off before rejoining the Tigers.

Why it matters

Skubal is one of the top pitchers in baseball, so his participation in the WBC is highly anticipated. However, he is prioritizing his preparation for the Tigers' regular season over an extended run with Team USA, which could impact the U.S. squad's performance in the tournament.

The details

Skubal made his first Grapefruit League start on Monday, striking out four over two scoreless innings. He is expected to pitch for the Tigers again on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays before making his one WBC start late next week during pool play in Houston. After that, the rest of his spring outings will be with the Tigers as he ramps up for the regular season.

  • Skubal made his first Grapefruit League start on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • Skubal is expected to pitch for the Tigers again on Sunday, February 29, 2026.
  • Skubal will make his one WBC start late next week during pool play in Houston.

The players

Tarik Skubal

A two-time AL Cy Young Award winner and ace of the Detroit Tigers pitching staff.

Detroit Tigers

The Major League Baseball team that Tarik Skubal plays for.

Team USA

The United States national baseball team that is competing in the World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“The whole point of me doing the WBC was to make sure that I could stay on a normal workload of a spring training regimen and be able to make a start for Team USA and then come back here and continue my normal routine to get ready for opening day.”

— Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers Pitcher

What’s next

Skubal is scheduled to start Detroit's season opener on March 26 in San Diego.

The takeaway

Tarik Skubal's decision to limit his World Baseball Classic participation to just one start reflects his commitment to the Detroit Tigers and his desire to prepare properly for the upcoming MLB season. While his absence could impact Team USA's performance, Skubal's focus on maintaining his regular spring training routine is understandable given his status as one of the game's elite pitchers.