The USA pitching staff at the 2026 World Baseball Classic will have an extremely different look from the 2023 iteration. After throwing Merrill Kelly, Lance Lynn, and Adam Wainwright in 2023, the upcoming World Baseball Classic will have a loaded rotation with the likes of Paul Skenes, Garrett Whitlock, and Tarik Skubal, among others.
However, at least one of those pitchers is going to be extremely limited. Skubal, who is about to enter a contract year with the Detroit Tigers and is represented by Scott Boras, told reporters on Feb. 23 he will only throw a start in pools and be shut down after, possibly returning to watch the finals is the USA makes it — but even then only as a ‘fan.’
‘I’m trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA but I understand the need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season,’ Skubal said, per The Athletic. ‘I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful they took me in that capacity.’
Of a potential finals run, Skubal said: ‘If they go to the finals, I think I’m going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys.’
The finals will be held in Miami, about a four-and-a-half hour drive from Lakeland, where the Tigers hold their spring training.
Where losing a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber shortens any rotation, the United States has a bevy of options to choose from behind him.
USA 2026 World Baseball Classic pitchers
Here’s a look at the pitching staff for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Starting pitchers
RHP Paul Skenes – Pittsburgh Pirates
LHP Tarik Skubal – Detroit Tigers
LHP Matthew Boyd – Chicago Cubs
RHP Clay Holmes – New York Mets
RHP Nolan McLean – New York Mets
RHP Joe Ryan – Minnesota Twins
RHP Michael Wacha – Kansas City Royals
RHP Logan Webb – San Francisco Giants
LHP Clayton Kershaw – Retired
Bullpen
RHP David Bednar – New York Yankees
LHP Garrett Cleavinger – Tampa Bay Rays
RHP Garrett Whitlock – Boston Red Sox
RHP Griffin Jax – Minnesota Twins
RHP Brad Keller – Philadelphia Phillies
RHP Mason Miller – San Diego Padres
LHP Gabe Speier – Seattle Mariners
Obviously rotation won’t be an issue for the USA. But with Kershaw occupying a roster spot and now Skubal freeing one after he leaves, it’s still a blow for what is expected to be the best rotation top to bottom in the WBC.
Tarik Skubal contract
Skubal is entering the final season of team control this year, which is undoubtedly influencing his decision to limit himself in the WBC.
He is playing on a one-year, $32 million deal he won in arbitration after the Tigers filed for a $19 million. The back-to-back AL Cy Young winner is expected to command a record-breaking contract as a free agent in the coming offseason. His $32 million number is already encroaching upon Gerrit Cole’s $36 million AAV from the Yankees.
‘Cy-squared is exponentially valued – a critical and crushing distinction that separates Skubal from one-time Cy Young winners. How rare is Skubal’s back-to-back Cy performance? It’s over the moon. Only 12 in MLB history – the same number of men who have walked on the moon.’