Tarik Skubal is returning to the Tigers despite having second thoughts about Team USA
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Tarik Skubal remains with his original schedule for the World Baseball Classic, as Team USA manager Mark DeRosa announced the 2025 Cy Young Award winner will return to the Detroit Tigers after his debut against Great Britain.
Skubal was supposed to return to his football club after Team USA’s second game in the group stage in Houston, a 9-1 victory over Great Britain. However, after throwing his planned victory count, Skubal appeared to have second thoughts about the solo look and performance.
“I didn’t expect these types of emotions to run through my brain or my thoughts to be different,” Skubal told reporters, according to ESPN. “I was very committed to returning to the camp first.
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Team USA’s Tarik Skubal pitches in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game presented by Capital One between Team Great Britain and Team USA at Daikin Park on Saturday, March 7, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB)
“Things have changed, obviously. That’s why I will have discussions and try to make a plan for me. But yes, I don’t know how.”
Skubal was not shy about how excited he was to be among the best Team USA ever assembled in the tournament, including fellow Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, who will be competing against Mexico on Monday night. Skubal even noted that he might be able to rejoin Team USA if it leaves their pool and heads to Miami for the playoffs.
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“When you go into these areas, when you find this group, it’s hard to get away from that,” Skubal added.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, on Sept. 6, 2025. (Photos by Rick Osentoski/Imagn)
But Skubal, who will be a free agent after this season with the Tigers, is sticking to the game plan from the start.
The 29-year-old is expected to receive the richest contract in MLB history this coming winter, and it could be in the ballpark of $500 million. And perhaps his decision was easier knowing that his national team mates understand him returning to the Tigers centre.
“He has two Cy Young awards, but this guy is going to make him half a billion dollars next season,” said USA TODAY captain Aaron Judge. “So, for him to put it all on the line for his country and come out here and show us. … You know, maybe just one game, but you know there’s risk in everything you do, and for him to risk that and come out here and be with us, the guys love it.”
Tarik Skubal of the United States reacts during the World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Great Britain and the United States at Daikin Park on March 7, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
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Skubal was awarded an MLB record $32 million in settlement, surpassing the previous arbitration record held by the New York Mets, and current Dominican Republic star Juan Soto.
After a great 2024 campaign that ended with a career-best hardware, Skubal followed it up with an AL-leading 2.21 ERA over 195⅓ innings in 31 starts. He also struck out 241 batters, 13 more than his best total last year.
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