Tigers' Skubal leaves Team USA during WBC

Lefty ace opts out of further participation to focus on Tigers' season prep

Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:50pm

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, a back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner, made one start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic but ultimately decided to leave the team and focus on his preseason routine with the Tigers instead of risking injury by continuing to pitch in the tournament.

Why it matters

Skubal is entering a contract year and is expected to command a massive free agent deal if he has another stellar season, so the Tigers were understandably cautious about him participating in the high-intensity WBC games that could potentially jeopardize his health and availability for the regular season.

The details

Skubal thought about staying with Team USA to help them try to win the WBC, but in the end he decided he couldn't risk messing up his preseason preparation and routine with the Tigers. The team has a specific plan for how they want Skubal to build up his arm strength and pitch count leading into the regular season, and the WBC schedule didn't align with that.

  • Skubal made one start for Team USA in the WBC.
  • Skubal's contract with the Tigers will expire at the end of the 2023 season.

The players

Tarik Skubal

A left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who is a back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner.

Paul Skenes

A pitcher for Team USA who is making his second start in the WBC semifinal.

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What’s next

The Tigers will continue to monitor Skubal's progress and prepare him for the start of the regular season, while Team USA will have to move forward in the WBC without their star left-hander.

The takeaway

Skubal's decision to leave Team USA highlights the delicate balance between representing one's country in an international tournament and prioritizing individual career goals and team obligations. As a top pitcher entering a contract year, Skubal had to weigh the risks and rewards carefully before deciding to focus solely on getting ready for the Tigers' season.