Tigers' A.J. Hinch Reacts to Tarik Skubal Considering Another WBC Start

The Tigers manager knows Skubal is feeling a lot of emotions after helping Team USA defeat Great Britain.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal is considering staying with Team USA to make another start in the World Baseball Classic after helping the team defeat Great Britain 9-1. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch understands the difficult emotions Skubal is experiencing, as the pitcher wants to continue representing his country but also needs to return to the Tigers for the upcoming MLB season.

Why it matters

Skubal's potential continued participation in the WBC is significant because it could impact the Tigers' pitching rotation and preparation for the regular season. The team will need to balance Skubal's desire to play for Team USA with their own needs as his MLB club.

The details

Skubal allowed one run to start the game against Great Britain but soon settled in to help lead Team USA to a 9-1 victory. After the game, Skubal admitted he was considering staying with the national team to make another start in the tournament. Hinch said the team has not yet determined Skubal's next steps, but understands the difficult emotions the pitcher is experiencing as he tries to balance his commitments to both Team USA and the Tigers.

  • Skubal helped lead Team USA to a 9-1 win over Great Britain on Saturday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Tarik Skubal

A starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who is currently playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

A.J. Hinch

The manager of the Detroit Tigers, who understands the difficult position Skubal is in as he considers staying with Team USA for another WBC start.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think anything's been determined. I think he's incredibly emotional about the experience. It's a difficult time that weighs heavily on players because they want to do it all.”

— A.J. Hinch, Manager (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Tigers will need to work with Skubal to determine if he will remain with Team USA for another WBC start or return to the Tigers' spring training camp.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges MLB teams face in balancing their players' desires to represent their countries in international tournaments like the World Baseball Classic with the teams' own needs to prepare their rosters for the upcoming regular season.