Detroit’s Skubal Limiting WBC Participation to Single Game for Team USA

Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal will make just one appearance for Team USA in next month's World Baseball Classic before returning to his team. The two-time Cy Young Award winner plans to start only one pool play game on March 7 against Great Britain.

Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal will limit his participation in next month’s World Baseball Classic to a single appearance for Team USA.

The two-time Cy Young Award recipient announced following his first spring training outing on Monday that he intends to make only one start during the tournament’s group stage, which kicks off March 5. After that appearance, he’ll head back to Detroit and won’t be available for any potential elimination round starts.

Reports indicate Skubal’s single outing for the American squad will occur March 7 during pool play against Great Britain.

“If they go to the finals, I think I’m going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys,” Skubal said.

This decision represents a setback for Team USA, which seeks its second World Baseball Classic championship and first since capturing the title in 2017. Over the past two seasons, Skubal has established himself as baseball’s premier pitcher, accumulating 31 victories combined with an ERA below 2.40 in both 2024 and 2025. Throughout his six-year career with Detroit, he’s compiled a 54-37 record with a 3.08 ERA across 137 games, including 134 starts.

Despite Skubal’s limited availability, the U.S. roster remains deep with pitching talent, featuring 2025 Cy Young winner Paul Skenes alongside 2025 All-Stars Logan Webb, Joe Ryan and Matthew Boyd.

Team USA has been placed in Group B and will begin tournament play March 6 against Brazil in Houston. The group also includes Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. The World Baseball Classic championship game is scheduled for March 17 in Miami.