The Detroit Tigers have one of, if not the best, pitchers in baseball on their roster in Tarik Skubal. He's been the subject of trade rumors all offseason, and those rumors aren't likely to stop anytime soon.
While he's not been traded, Skubal did announce on Twitter/X some very interesting news for a team he's planning to play for in 2026. But it's not in the Major Leagues.
Skubal shared a simple American Flag emoji, which was an announcement that Skubal is joining the World Baseball Classic for Team USA, as he's going to pitch alongside Paul Skenes to form a dominant 1-2 punch atop the USA rotation.
Tarik Skubal reveals WBC involvement with USA announcement
Skubal's simple announcement is a huge one for the United States' chances of winning the World Baseball Classic. While the rotation of Skenes, Joe Ryan, and Nolan McLean was strong, Skubal's joining the mix makes the USA rotation the best in the tournament.
The left-hander is coming off back-to-back Cy Young awards for the Tigers in 2024 and 2025. This past season, Skubal had a 2.21 ERA, one shutout, 241 strikeouts, and a 0.891 WHIP in 195.1 innings pitched.
The year before, Skubal had a 2.39 ERA in 31 starts with 18 wins, 228 strikeouts, and a 0.922 WHIP over 192 innings pitched.
More: Why Tarik Skubal is still Tigers' best offseason trade candidate
Skubal is joining a Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic that now looks to have one of the best rotations in the entire tournament.
Skubal, Skenes, Ryan, McLean, Clay Holmes, and Matthew Boyd make up the starting rotation. And in the bullpen, Mason Miller, Griffin Jax, Garrett Whitlock, and Garrett Clevinger comprise a strong overall pitching staff.
If there wasn't a reason to watch the World Baseball Classic before, the 1-2 punch of Skubal and Skenes atop the Team USA rotation is more reason to tune in than ever.
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