Tarik Skubal Makes Career Announcement on Monday

This spring, the Hayward, California, native decided to represent his home country of the United States in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Before the tournament began this week, Skubal said that he would pitch just once for the U.S. before returning to Tigers spring training in Lakeland, Florida.

He started Saturday's game against Great Britain in the U.S.'s 9-1 victory. In that game, Skubal threw three innings, allowing two hits and one run, a leadoff homer on the first pitch he threw, along with five strikeouts and no walks. After the game, Skubal walked back his earlier comments, saying that he had not made a final decision as to whether he would continue to play in the WBC or return to spring training.

On Monday, Skubal made his final announcement on the matter, saying that he will forgo the rest of the WBC and go back to spring training with Detroit, according to USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale.

"Tarik Skubal will leave and join the Tigers," Nightengale said.

This decision from Skubal means that he will not be eligible to pitch for the U.S. in the quarterfinal, semifinal or championship rounds, should it get to those. Rather, he will return to Lakeland and gear up to defend his AL Cy Young crown with the Tigers.

The U.S. will play its third pool play game against Mexico on Monday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox before closing out Pool B on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET against Italy, also on Fox.