Is Tigers' Tarik Skubal regretting leaving WBC early? This might be his next move

Detroit Tigers' ace Tarik Skubal came into the World Baseball Classic with a limited role in mind: make one start for the United States national baseball team and then return to spring training. After being exposed to the intensity of the tournament, the left-hander is rethinking that plan. Skubal pitched three innings for Team USA's 9-1 victory over the Great Britain national baseball team in Houston. While the outing was originally expected to be his only appearance in the tournament, the 2025 American League Cy Young winner says he is open to making another start.

"I did not think these kinds of emotions would run through my brain or my thoughts would be different," Skubal said. "I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp. Things have changed,” he added.

WBC experience giving rise to new discussions

Skubal said he plans to discuss the possibility of staying in the tournament longer with the Detroit Tigers, his agent, and his family before he makes a final decision. The pitcher admitted that a number of things will go into the decision, including what Detroit wants to do with the upcoming MLB season and his own workload during spring training. Tigers officials have let Skubal participate in the WBC, but originally expected him to be back to camp after one appearance.
"I want to play, but there's a lot of stuff that goes into this type of decision," Skubal said. Now, Team USA is set to play with the Mexico national baseball team next in the tournament, with the game scheduled for Monday, March 09.

Tarik's strong outing against Great Britain

Skubal's reconsideration comes after an effective performance against Team Great Britain. The left-hander struck out five in three innings as the United States had improved to 2-0 in pool play. The outing began with a setback when Nate Eaton hit a home-run on the first pitch, but Skubal quickly regained his footing and prevented any more damage by pulling hitters while not allowing the British lineup to gain momentum.

His play helped stabilize the game in the early part of the game before the American offense broke it open later in the match. For Skubal, his experience representing the United States has played a major role in his thinking. "When you get into these environments, when you get this team, it's hard to walk away from that," he said. Whether or not he ends up staying for another start is still in question, but the Tigers ace has made it abundantly clear that the World Baseball Classic has already made a strong impression on him.


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