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.
Webb, 29, is a sinker ball pitcher who is durable, and he struck out a career high 224 batters in 107 innings this past season. He will give Team USA a very reliable option in their rotation, and he should have a positive impact when he starts games for them.
Another stud has joined the staff.
Logan Webb is IN for the World Baseball Classic! ?? pic.twitter.com/RWgedpbzQn
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) December 18, 2025
Webb has pitched seven seasons for the Giants; he is a two-time All-Star and has won a Gold Glove. He also showed to be a big game pitcher in the 2021 postseason with 14 2/3 innings, 17 strikeouts, and an ERA of 0.61.
Mason Miller and David Bednar Bolster Bullpen – Team USA made two notable bullpen additions on Dec. 18, when news broke via the team’s X account that Yankees closer David Bednar and San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller will be joining the team for the WBC.
https://x.com/USABaseball/status/2001683139584737443
Miller, 27, is one of the hardest throwers in MLB with a 104.5 mph fastball in the postseason, which is the hardest pitch in postseason history. Miller’s fastball averaged 101.2 mph last season. He has pitched for three seasons with the Athletics and was traded to the Padres at the trade deadline on July 31, 2025.
He has struck out 104 batters in back-to-back seasons and was an All-Star with the Athletics in 2025. Miller can also go multiple innings, and he will give Team USA some good insurance at the end of their games.
Bednar, 27, was also traded at the deadline this past season from the Pirates to the Yankees. Bednar settled into the Yankees closer role and flourished in the postseason with six innings, nine strikeouts, two saves, and an ERA of 1.50.
Bednar is a two-time All-Star with the Pirates in 2022 and 2023. Bednar led the National League in saves with 39 in 2023 and had his lowest ERA at 2.00. This past season, Bednar set a career-high with 86 strikeouts in 62 ⅔ innings.
https://x.com/USABaseball/status/2001812619380875408
Bednar pitched for Team USA in the 2023 WBC and pitched four innings, with five strikeouts and an ERA of 2.25.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts won’t play for Team USA in the WBC – Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts won’t return to the WBC, according to a live stream from Adin Ross on Dec. 17. Betts talked about the pregnancy of his wife, Brianna, and that their baby is due right in the middle of the WBC.
https://x.com/nypostsports/status/2001798942225260823
Betts is coming off a World Series win with the Dodgers against the Blue Jays. Betts has won four World Series, which includes one with the Boston Red Sox against the Dodgers in 2018. Betts also won the MVP in 2018, and he was traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers on Feb. 10, 2020.
Betts is an eight-time All-Star, has won seven Silver Slugger Awards, and six Gold Gloves in his 12-year MLB career.
What’s ahead for Team USA – Team USA will play in Pool B in Houston at Daikin Park from March 6-11 against Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, and Mexico. The top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals in Miami at loanDepot Park.
Photo: Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
