[MyDaily = Reporter Lee Jung-won] It felt like an All-Star Game.
Tarik Skubal's run at the 2026 World Baseball Classic has come to an end.
MLB.com reported March 10 (KST) that Skubal will rejoin his club. He plans to return to Detroit's spring camp as soon as Team USA's game against Mexico wraps on the 10th.
Skubal had announced early on that he'd make just one appearance before heading back to his team — and there was a clear reason. He reaches free agency after this season and needs to put together a top campaign. An injury in the WBC could derail that, which drew criticism from some American fans.
On March 8 against Great Britain, he gave up a leadoff, first-pitch home run but settled in. He threw three innings in the competitive stretch, finishing with 3 IP, 2 H (1 HR), 0 BB, 5 K and 1 R allowed to help the U.S. to a 9-1 win. Afterwards Skubal admitted he hadn't expected his feelings to change. \"I had decided to make one start and return to camp. But the situation clearly shifted,\" he said, leaving open the possibility that he might stick around to talk things over.
In the end, he stayed the course. \"I really tried to find a way,\" Skubal said. \"I love the U.S. If they want me for the 2028 LA Olympics, I'd be the first to volunteer.\" He added that he barely slept over the past few days, glued to his phone trying to change the schedule — even wishing someone could move calendar dates or delay Opening Day. \"But I don't have that power,\" he said.
\"This WBC experience exceeded my expectations,\" he continued. \"I'd never worn a uniform with 'USA' across the chest, and wearing the flag out there made me incredibly proud. It was amazing, and I want to do it again. I thought it would feel like an All-Star Game, but it was a completely different atmosphere. This may be one of the toughest decisions of my career.\"
U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said Skubal had been penciled in to pitch only once against Great Britain from the start. \"But standing on the mound in the U.S. uniform and being around these players changes your emotions,\" DeRosa said. \"I worried every time he pitched because I know how important this season is to him. Still, we're really grateful he came and threw for us.\"
With the potential for a historic contract waiting, sticking around to chase a WBC title would have brought its own pressure.
Skubal said the WBC's intensity and adrenaline spikes add too much risk and don't line up with the gradual pitch-count buildup he follows in spring camp. \"I know how important this season is. All those factors influenced my decision. I'm still not at ease — maybe I'll only relax if the U.S. wins and we're celebrating together in Miami,\" he said.
