Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal joins a loaded Team USA roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, prioritizing national pride amidst trade rumors.
Two-time Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal will be on the mound for the United States in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, answering the call of his country, even as offseason trade speculation continues to follow one of baseball’s most dominant left-handers. Clubs such as the Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to Skubal in recent rumors, but for now, his focus shifts to international competition.
Skubal, who overwhelmed major league hitters this past season, committed this week to Team USA’s pitching staff for the March tournament. He is expected to be part of a deep, star-laden rotation assembled with the goal of bringing the World Baseball Classic title back to the United States.
For country
Though Skubal is projected to be one of the most coveted arms on the market in the coming years, the left-hander opted to represent his country on the global stage, placing national pride ahead of offseason chatter and long-term contract considerations.
Team USA roster
The United States roster continues to take shape with a mix of elite pitchers and impact position players. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees will serve as team captain, anchoring a lineup that includes Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Kyle Schwarber, Will Smith, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brice Turang.
On the mound, Skubal is joined by hard-throwing right-hander Paul Skenes, Minnesota’s Joe Ryan, Oakland reliever Mason Miller, and Mets pitchers Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean, giving Team USA a blend of power arms and depth. Additional roster spots are expected to be finalized closer to the tournament.
Pool play schedule
The 2026 World Baseball Classic opens March 5, with pool play beginning March 6. Team USA will compete in Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston from March 6-11, opening against Brazil. The Americans will also face Italy, Mexico and Great Britain, with the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals.
Tigers’ World Baseball Classic history
Detroit pitchers have a history of taking part in the World Baseball Classic. Eduardo Rodríguez represented Venezuela during the 2023 tournament while a member of the Tigers. In earlier editions, reliever Joe Jiménez pitched for Puerto Rico, helping that club make a deep run in the event.
Skubal’s inclusion continues that lineage and underscores his rise into the game’s international spotlight, as Major League Baseball’s best prepare for the sport’s premier global tournament next March.
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