Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal Defends Decision to Skip WBC

Skubal faces backlash for prioritizing MLB season over Team USA

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal is defending his decision to exit Team USA's World Baseball Classic run after a single start, despite facing intense criticism from fans who accused him of being a "traitor" to his country. Skubal says the online vitriol is unfair, arguing that his peers on Team USA have been supportive of his choice to focus on the upcoming MLB season with the Tigers.

Why it matters

Skubal's decision highlights the tensions between players' obligations to their national teams and their professional club teams. As a top MLB pitcher, Skubal has to balance his desire to represent his country with the need to protect his arm for the grueling 162-game MLB season.

The details

Skubal made a calculated decision to leave Team USA's WBC run in order to focus on preparing for the Tigers' upcoming MLB season. This decision drew heavy criticism from fans, who accused Skubal of being a "traitor" and abandoning his country. However, Skubal says his peers on Team USA have been supportive of his choice, and argues that much of the online criticism comes from people who don't know him personally.

  • Skubal made a single start for Team USA before exiting the WBC.
  • Skubal addressed the criticism ahead of a potential pool-play exit for Team USA following a loss to Team Italy.

The players

Tarik Skubal

A left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who opted to exit Team USA's World Baseball Classic run after a single start, drawing heavy criticism from fans.

Paul Skenes

A player who is suiting up for Team USA, arguing that pride of nation is motivation enough to brave any outcome for the sake of helping the USA win gold.

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What they’re saying

“It's just not fair. But that's part of the business. It's part of the game. If they know me, though, and they know me on a personal level, and they know what my peers think of me, I don't think it's fair to say those things.”

— Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers Pitcher

“No, because a lot of those opinions and narratives are created by people that don't know me, you know? And I think if you ask anyone in the clubhouse, my peers ... you ask any peers in that clubhouse, on Team USA, they've all been pretty vocally supportive of what I've got going on.”

— Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers Pitcher

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.