Tarik Skubal rejoined the Detroit Tigers' spring training camp in Lakeland, Florida, after his limited participation in the World Baseball Classic with Team USA—pitching one game as pre-announced and supporting from the dugout in another. Prioritizing health and the team schedule ahead of Opening Day, the experience has profoundly shaped his approach to baseball.
On Wednesday morning at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse was nearly empty as the team played in Fort Myers. Tarik Skubal, however, returned to work immediately after arriving in Florida on Tuesday. He completed a bullpen session on the back fields before heading back inside.
Skubal had pitched for Team USA last Saturday night and sat in the dugout for their 5-3 win over Mexico on Monday. While watching Team USA's loss to Italy on television that evening, he already felt fatigue from readjusting to spring training. "I have to get back on a Spring Training regimen," Skubal said. "The days start at 6 in the morning."
Despite the quick transition, Skubal described his World Baseball Classic stint as transformative. "It was an outstanding experience," he said. "Just being a fly on the wall in that room is going to impact my career in a positive way -- the conversations I was able to have with a multitude of different guys, watching these guys prepare, scouting. Everything that they do is what makes them great, and it pushes me to want to be a better version of myself."
He and Tigers manager A.J. Hinch explored options to extend his stay, but the nine-day gap to Opening Day on March 25 proved too disruptive. "It's nine days away, and then I'm going to miss Opening Day on that decision, and now, I'm impacting my team," Skubal explained. He had planned beforehand to pitch only one game, citing injury risks from workload spikes. "Historically, if you look at data, almost all pitcher injuries are in spring or right after All-Star break," he noted, emphasizing the importance of this season ahead of free agency.
A highlight was walking the field at Daikin Park in Houston, where fans chanted his name—contrasting boos from the 2024 postseason. Skubal expressed eagerness for future international play, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if timing aligns. "Absolutely, I'm in," he said.
The WBC has also deepened his appreciation for other sports, fostering respect for athletes' dedications. Now, Skubal prepares for his next start Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, facing former Tiger Max Scherzer. "Oh, [heck] yeah," he reacted enthusiastically.
