Tarik Skubal Faces Backlash from Fans as Pitcher Leaves USA WBC Camp for Tigers: “Waste of a Roster Spot”

Tarik Skubal will return to the Detroit Tigers' Spring Training camp after making just 1 start at the World Baseball Classic for Team USA.

Tarik Skubal Faces Backlash from Fans as Pitcher Leaves USA WBC Camp for Tigers: “Waste of a Roster Spot”

Tarik Skubal (Image via X/@TalkinBaseball_)

Tarik Skubal is done with the World Baseball Classic. After making one start against Great Britain, the southpaw left the USA training camp and returned to the Detroit Tigers. This development did not sit well with fans on social media, who slammed him for this.

The 2-time Cy Young Award winner had already made up his mind before. While speaking with the reporters from the Spring Training two weeks ago, Skubal announced that he would only make one start for his country.

After that start, Skubal would return to the Tigers and start preparing for the upcoming MLB season with the Tigers. As per reports from MLB.com, this one-start setup was the condition set by him to suit up for the United States.

On Saturday, the 2-time Cy Young Award winner made his WBC debut. On his very first pitch, he gave up a home run to Nate Eaton.

Initially, Eaton’s hit was credited as a double. However, after the review, the call was overturned, and he was credited with a home run, which gave Great Britain a 1-0 lead.

Despite the early blow, Skubal was in charge of the game. The 29-year-old threw 3 innings and gave up just 2 hits. He managed to pick up 5 strikeouts in his first WBC appearance.

The USA went on to win the game 9-1. Great Britain only had 3 hits in this encounter. All 3 of them came from Eaton.

After the game, reports emerged that Skubal was considering his 1-start decision. It was later announced that Skubal will let the team know about his decision on Monday.

Despite the strong urge from fans, the pitcher later decided to stick with his decision. According to manager Mark DeRosa, Skubal would return to the Tigers camp and turn his attention towards the upcoming season.

Last season, the American international became the first pitcher after Jacob DeGrom to repeat as Cy Young Award winner. He went 13-6 in the regular season and pitched with a 2.21.

As he enters the final year of team control, the 2024 Triple Crown winner wants to have a strong performance with the Tigers.

Fans unpleased with Tarik Skubal returning to Tigers camp by leaving Team USA at WBC

Tarik Skubal went back to the Detroit Tigers. On Monday, the pitcher finalized his decision to return to his club’s Spring Training camp and leave the World Baseball Classic.

Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal (Image via Bleacher Report)

Users on X were unpleased with this and slammed him. One user wrote, “What a waste of a roster spot lol” while taking a swipe at the Tigers’ star.

Check out that and some other reactions from X below:

Speaking of Skubal, he recently set an MLB arbitration record with a historic case win. After the Tigers turned down his $32 million salary offer and countered it with $19 million, the two parties went to a hearing. In this, the three-person panel ruled in favor of the pitcher, resulting in a major win for him.

Tarik Skubal was not at peace with his decision to leave the WBC camp

Tarik Skubal’s WBC journey with Team USA came to an end on Monday as he decided to stick with his 1-start decision and return to the Detroit Tigers camp. He would admit that this was something that he hated.

Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal (Image via X/@JustBB_Media)

While speaking with the reporters on Monday, the 2-time All-Star expressed that he would be the first one to sign up for Team USA when an opportunity arrives in the future.

When I got here, my emotions kind of changed a little bit, my thought process changed a little bit. Tried to make it work, but just couldn’t. I hate it, but it’s all right. I’ll be the first to sign up for the 28 Olympics or whenever the next WBC is, I’ll be the first to sign up for that one, too.

Tarik Skubal told the reporters

On Monday, the USA took down Mexico 5-3 with Paul Skenes starting for the first time for his country. A dominant performance from the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner saw the Americans beat Mexico for the first time since 2006.

With a 3-0 record, the U.S. has one foot in the knockout stages. Their final pool game will see them take on Italy.

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