Two-time Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal planned to make just one start in the World Baseball Classic before returning to spring training with the Detroit Tigers.
But after getting a taste of what it’s like to represent Team USA, he’s not so sure he’s ready to leave.
‘When you get into these environments, when you get this team, it’s hard to walk away from that,’ Skubal said Saturday, March 7, after tossing three strong innings in the Americans’ 9-1 win over Great Britain.
‘I didn’t expect these types of emotions to run through my brain or my thoughts to differ. I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp,’ Skubal said. ‘Things have changed, obviously, that’s why I’m going to have some conversations to try and figure out a plan for me.’
The Tigers left-hander, who is ticketed for free agency – and likely one of the largest contracts in baseball history – at the end of the 2026 season, said he’ll talk with the Tigers, his agent and his family before making what he calls ‘one of the tougher decisions I’ve made in my career.’
He said he’ll make the call ‘in the next couple days.’
Skubal allowed a leadoff home run to Great Britain’s Nate Eaton in the first inning, but he settled down and struck out five over his three-inning stint on Saturday in Houston. But he said he didn’t expect his emotions to take over the way they did after getting on the mound.
‘It just changes your perspective a little bit, you know?’ Skubal said. ‘And how proud I am to be an American and go out there and pitch and compete. (Thinking about) the people that make real sacrifices for me to play a kid’s game. So we’ll see.’
