Cy Young Winner Skubal Shines Despite Tigers’ Spring Training Loss

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal pitched two scoreless innings in his spring debut, though the Detroit Tigers fell 3-0 to Minnesota. The $32 million pitcher struck out four batters and plans to participate in just one World Baseball Classic game before returning to Tigers camp.

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal made an impressive spring training debut Monday, tossing two scoreless frames despite his team falling 3-0 to the Minnesota Twins in Lakeland, Florida.

The two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award recipient, who secured a $32 million salary after prevailing in arbitration, recorded four strikeouts while keeping Minnesota off the scoreboard during his stint. In his first inning of work, Skubal fanned two hitters with runners on base to escape trouble.

Following his outing, Skubal informed media members he intends to make just one appearance for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic’s round-robin portion before heading back to Detroit’s training facility.

Minnesota secured the victory behind home runs from Emmanuel Rodriguez and Alex Jackson, while pitcher Mick Abel contributed three scoreless innings with five strikeouts for the Twins.

Detroit’s offense managed only three base hits, including a triple from Matt Vierling and a double off the bat of Javier Baez.

Mets 4, Blue Jays 3

In Dunedin, Florida, New York edged Toronto as Cristian Pache connected for a home run and MJ Melendez drove in a run with a double.

Veteran hurlers Clay Holmes and Jose Berrios each surrendered two earned runs in their spring debuts for the Mets and Blue Jays respectively.

Toronto’s major offseason signing from Japan, Kazuma Okamoto, launched his first homer of the spring – a two-run blast in the second frame. The slugger inked a four-year, $60 million contract during the winter.

Braves 10, Orioles 7

Atlanta rallied past Baltimore in Sarasota, Florida, scoring eight times in the sixth inning, capped by Jorge Mateo’s grand slam.

The Braves collected 13 hits total, with Dominic Smith, Eli White, Lizandro Espinoza and Aaron Schunk each recording two hits apiece.

Baltimore got a two-run homer from Vance Honeycutt but left 11 runners stranded on the bases.

Rays 2, Red Sox 1

Tampa Bay completed a dramatic comeback in Port Charlotte, Florida, as Jonny DeLuca delivered a walk-off two-run single to defeat Boston.

Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen struck out three batters across two shutout innings. Tampa Bay managed just two hits through eight innings before collecting three more in the decisive ninth.

Boston took the lead when Mickey Gasper drove in a run with a triple in the top of the ninth.

Cardinals 5, Marlins 4

St. Louis scored three runs in the final inning to beat Miami in Jupiter, Florida, with Ryan Weingartner and Jeremy Rivas contributing RBI doubles before a wild pitch ended the game.

Rivas finished with two of St. Louis’ five hits, while Jose Fermin added an RBI single in the opening frame against Miami starter Eury Perez.

The Marlins got on the board first via Jakob Marsee’s spring training home run debut in the first inning, but Miami struggled with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-13 and leaving 13 men on base.

Yankees 6, Pirates 2

New York pulled away from Pittsburgh in Bradenton, Florida, scoring four times in the second inning behind RBI hits from Ben Rice and Jasson Dominguez.

Rice started the rally with a two-run single, followed by Dominguez’s RBI double. The Yankees also received a home run from prospect Miguel Palma and drew 11 walks to compensate for managing only five hits.

Pittsburgh’s highly regarded pitching prospect Bubba Chandler struggled in his spring debut, walking four batters and allowing four runs despite not surrendering a hit over 1 2/3 innings. The Pirates got an early RBI single from newly signed Marcell Ozuna, who joined the team on a one-year, $12 million contract.