Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will not pitch again for Team USA during this year’s World Baseball Classic, manager Mark DeRosa announced on Monday.
Skubal had planned to make just one appearance for the U.S. before returning to the Tigers to resume his spring training preparation. But after making his WBC debut in Saturday’s win over Great Britain, Skubal said he was having second thoughts about leaving the team.
“I didn’t expect these types of emotions to run through my brain or my thoughts to differ,” Skubal told reporters. “I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp.
“Things have changed, obviously. That’s why I’m going to have some conversations and try to figure out a plan for me. But yeah, I don’t know either way.”
Ultimately, though, the two-time Cy Young winner decided to stick with the original plan.
Skubal is entering what could be his final season with the Tigers and is expected to land a lucrative long-term contract if he hits free agency next offseason.
The U.S. improved to 2-0 in WBC pool play with Saturday’s 9-1 victory over Great Britain. Skubal allowed a home run to Nate Eaton on the game’s very first pitch before settling in and finishing with five strikeouts on 41 pitches over three innings.
Leave a Reply