Coming off an incredible year that saw him win his second consecutive AL Cy Young award, Tarik Skubal heads into the 2026 season looking to continue dominating on the mound.
Before taking the field with the Detroit Tigers, however, he will be playing for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Unfortunately for fans hoping to see Skubal help Team USA win the tournament, it appears the southpaw’s participation at the showpiece event will be limited, as popular content page “Talkin’ Baseball” revealed via X on Monday.
“Tarik Skubal says he’ll make one start for USA in the WBC before returning to the Tigers, per @CodyStavenhagen. Sounds like Skubal’s start will be during pool play because he added ‘if they go to the finals, I’m going to try and lobby to go watch and be with the guys,'” the post read.
Fans online were not pleased with Skubal’s decision, and many voiced their frustrations in the comments.
“What’s the point then. Paul Skenes better not be pulling this BS too,” a fan wrote.
“Shameful we want guys that want to win the whole thing,” another fan commented.
“I get there is significant injury risk but this is a complete waste for team USA… unfortunate,” another fan replied.
“Yeah I’m good on him just not being on the team then,” another fan responded.
“May as well not even show up. Give the spot to someone else who is committed 👎,” another fan shared.
“Took someone else’s spot to pitch one game smh,” another fan posted.
Tigers Skipper Offers Insight Into Tarik Skubal’s Mindset Heading Into The 2026 Season
For pretty much the entirety of the offseason, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal’s future has been the topic of discussion.
Featuring on February 3’s episode of “Tiger Territory,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch offered some insight into Tarik Skubal’s mentality heading into the new season, considering the buzz surrounding him this winter.
“So I just spent a few days with Tarik Skubal in New York. He’s in a really great place. I love how he’s handled the public nature of his offseason and the private nature of his offseason. On the public side, he’s separated business and baseball. He knows I’m a confidant if he wants to talk to me about it. The private side, we’ve got to keep the environment, the hunger, the preparation, and the work, we’ve got to keep pushing him,” Hinch said (24:50).
“My role in this whole year for him is to continue to create an environment he thrives under. What he’s done on the field when he’s competing is second to none. So, for us, we focus entirely on that, and let the business aspect of his situation happen with his people, and support him the best that we can. I know this offseason for him has been as public as anybody’s offseason. There’s nothing he can do that doesn’t get talked about. All these trade comments, the arbitration, the contract, the free agent year, it could be a distraction if he allowed it. That’s just not how he’s wired,” he added.
Having won back-to-back AL Cy Young awards in 2024 and 2025, Tarik Skubal will be looking to complete a historic three-peat in 2026.
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