Tarik Skubal Explains Decision to Make Only 1 Start for Team USA in 2026 World Baseball Classic

Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal will only make one start for Team USA in the upcoming Wold Baseball Classic, a decision that received some pushback from fans.

On the Flippin' Bats podcast on Thursday, Skubal explained that it was a mutual decision based on the timing of the tournament.

"It's probably mutual, you know. I think all parties are kind of aligned with this one, including myself, obviously," he said (19:30 mark). "I mean if this tournament was played, if the Classic was played in the middle, you know, the comparison's hockey, right? Like what Team USA was able to just accomplish, both women's and men's. Incredible. It was so much fun to watch and follow along. …It's the timing, you know. It's the timing for me. If this tournament was in the middle of our season like it is hockey, I'd have no problem throwing both games, you know, throwing as much as I can for Team USA. I'd have no problem."

Skubal added that the rapid spike in workload could lead to injuries after a long offseason.

"It's just the fact that, you know, if you look at my velocity as the year goes on, I'm just simply not built up to throw four to five innings at 99 to 101," he said. "You know, just, I'm not there. And I think anytime workload gets really spiked like that, that's when injuries start to happen."

He also said he hopes "they get the Olympics right" so top stars won't be deterred from participating. Baseball will return to the Olympics in 2028 after being left off the program in 2024.

"I don't know what the ideas are gonna be, but hopefully MLB has something planned and they can communicate with the PA early to where we can get an agreement done that we can do this thing," he said. "I mean I'd love to do that. I'd love to. I have so much pride being an American and playing for Team USA."

Of course, it's fair for fans to wonder whether Skubal's contract situation is a factor. The star ace will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career next offseason, and he should demand a massive contract if he stays healthy.

Skubal said that his contract has nothing to do with the decision, though.

"The timing, contractually, it wouldn't matter if it was in the middle of the season," he said. "You know, it really wouldn't matter. I would just go suit and play just like all those guys on the hockey team are suiting up and playing."

The good news for Team USA is that it will have plenty of other talent on the mound with pitchers like Paul Skenes and Logan Webb. Skubal will look to make the most of his sole outing and count on the other stars to help the United States bounce back from their loss to Japan at the 2023 WBC.