Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal will be pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic this spring. The back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner broke the news on his Instagram account on Dec. 18. Skubal, 29, has been the talk of the offseason as a potential trade target with one year left on his contract.
The left-handed pitcher will now join the National League Cy Young Award winner, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.
This could be a risky decision for Skubal, with a huge payday looming after the 2026 season, and since his agent is Scott Boras, it’s highly unlikely he will sign an extension. Several agents and Major League Baseball teams don’t want their players to participate in this, such as the Boston Red Sox not allowing Garret Crochet to pitch.
It’s a big decision, and it could have a negative impact on some teams, such as when the Mets lost closer Edwin Diaz to an Achilles injury.
On the other hand, Skubal is one of the best pitchers in the World and he should be able to showcase his skills on the biggest stage.
I asked Tarik Skubal if he would play for Team USA during this past season at Yankee Stadium.
Today it was announced that Skubal will pitch for them in the World Baseball Classic. pic.twitter.com/FLnNS2nHzJ
— Julian Guilarte (@JulianGuilarte1) December 18, 2025
“Yeah, that’s something that I’ve had some talks about with my agent and the organization about. You have to do what’s best for me. We’ll see, I would love to, but there are some other things that impact that for me,” Skubal told World Baseball Network prior to the Tigers’ game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 10, 2025.
Skubal was able to clear those hurdles, and now he will complete the transformation of Team USA’s starting rotation. In 2023, their top four starters were Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn, Merril Kelly, and Kyle Freeland. In 2026, their rotation will feature Skubal, Skenes, Joe Ryan, Logan Webb, and several other notable names.
His addition to the team could tilt the scales for Team USA and help them get over the hump against Japan and several other tough teams.
Team USA Manager Mark DeRosa on Paul Skenes – Team USA Manager Mark DeRosa is looking to deliver the first WBC championship for Team USA since 2017. In 2023, they lost 3-2 in the finals to Japan at loanDepot Park in Miami.
“He’s a game changer for the USA, and just the WBC from our pitching standpoint. I feel like this tournament can get helium and guys understanding if he can do it, I am certainly capable,” DeRosa said of starter Paul Skenes, who will play for Team USA, at the World Baseball Classic Media Day in Orlando on Dec. 9.
“Just being around him and getting to know him, he’s a unicorn, he’s different. It was a pretty easy phone call. I know what I have to do to get ready and ramp up. Just give me the ball,” DeRosa said.
Skenes has made his mark as one of the best pitchers in MLB in just two seasons. Skenes is third among pitchers with a fWAR of 10.8 from 2024-2025. He only trails Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez, who has an fWAR of 11.1, and Skubal, who has an fWAR of 12.6. Skenes’ ERA of 1.96 is the lowest ERA among qualified MLB pitchers from 2024-2025.
Giants Starting Pitcher Logan Webb Joins the Stars and Stripes – San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb also committed to play for Team USA on Dec. 18, according to USA Baseball’s X account. In 2023, Webb also committed to play for Team USA, but he ultimately ended up opting out to focus on his season with the Giants.