Detroit Tigers name Tarik Skubal as Opening Day starter in 2026

Skubal will make his third straight Opening Day start for the Tigers on March 26 against the San Diego Padres.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Detroit Tigers have named left-hander Tarik Skubal as their Opening Day starter for the 2026 season. This will be Skubal's third consecutive Opening Day start for the Tigers, as he looks to become the third pitcher in MLB history to win three Cy Young Awards in a row.

Why it matters

Skubal's selection as the Tigers' Opening Day starter solidifies his status as the team's ace and one of the top pitchers in the American League. His back-to-back Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025 have established him as an elite talent, and the Tigers are hoping he can continue that dominance in 2026 as they aim to return to the playoffs.

The details

Manager A.J. Hinch announced Skubal as the Opening Day starter on February 11, before the first day of spring training workouts. The 29-year-old left-hander will earn $32 million in 2026 after winning a salary arbitration hearing with the Tigers. In 2025, Skubal posted a 2.21 ERA with 241 strikeouts in 195.1 innings, becoming the first back-to-back AL Cy Young winner since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000.

  • Skubal will make his third straight Opening Day start for the Tigers on March 26, 2026.
  • Skubal won the American League Cy Young Award in both 2024 and 2025.

The players

Tarik Skubal

A 29-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who has won the American League Cy Young Award in the last two seasons.

A.J. Hinch

The manager of the Detroit Tigers who announced Skubal as the team's Opening Day starter for the 2026 season.

Justin Verlander

A franchise icon who has returned to the Detroit Tigers after a successful career elsewhere.

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What they’re saying

“Opening Day starter?”

— Reporter (freep.com)

“Tarik Skubal,”

— A.J. Hinch, Manager (freep.com)

What’s next

The Tigers will be hoping that Skubal can continue his dominant performance and potentially become the third pitcher in MLB history to win three Cy Young Awards in a row.

The takeaway

Tarik Skubal's selection as the Tigers' Opening Day starter for the third consecutive season solidifies his status as one of the top pitchers in baseball. His back-to-back Cy Young Awards have established him as an elite talent, and the Tigers are counting on him to lead their rotation as they aim to return to the playoffs in 2026.