Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal decided not to continue pitching for the United States at the World Baseball Classic
Skubal will leave the tournament following Monday's game against Mexico and return to spring training. He said factors such as routine, timing, and making sure he's ready for Opening Day played into the decision.
"It's hard. It's really hard," Skubal said, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. "I've been trying to make it work - I promise I have. I love America. I love our country and love everything this tournament is about. I'll be the first to sign up for the '28 Olympics if they want to have me and we figure out the timing of it."
The 29-year-old initially planned to make just one start for the U.S., but the two-time Cy Young winner said he needed time to mull over his decision after he pitched against Great Britain in pool play Saturday. The left-hander allowed one earned run on two hits with zero walks and five strikeouts on 41 pitches across three innings.
Skubal added his WBC experience exceeded all of his expectations.
"I just assumed it would be an All-Star Game type of vibe and it's absolutely not," Skubal said. "It couldn't be farther from that. I feel like I know these guys and I've known them for a week. Spending a week with these guys (it) feels like I've been teammates with them for a very long time.
"There's no ego in the clubhouse and everyone has one goal of trying to win. I didn't expect that, I guess. I totally misread how I would feel."
Skubal, who will make $32 million this year, can test free agency after the 2026 season. He's set to be the best player available and is expected to land the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history.
Team USA's rotation still includes Paul Skenes, who said he's willing to make multiple WBC starts, as well as Logan Webb and Nolan McLean.
