Skubal allowed one run on three hits across 4.2 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

After making just one appearance for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, Skubal returned to the Grapefruit League and looked sharp in his latest tune-up. The lefty now has a 2.79 ERA and 12 strikeouts across 9.2 innings this spring, and he also allowed one run over three innings with five strikeouts for Team USA. Skubal has been named Detroit's starter for Opening Day on March 26 against the Padres.

Skubal said Monday that he will return to Tigers camp rather than make another start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Skubal permitted one run over three innings against Team Great Britain on Saturday. He was mulling whether to remain with Team USA to make another start, but Skubal will instead rejoin the Tigers after the lone WBC outing, which was his original intention. Skubal threw 41 pitches in his start for Team USA and will continue to build his stamina with the Tigers before taking the ball for them Opening Day on March 26 versus the Padres.

Skubal, who made his World Baseball Classic debut in the United States' victory over Great Britain on Saturday, may end up pitching for the team again after previously planning to only make one appearance, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Skubal allowed a leadoff home run to Nate Eaton but righted the ship and didn't allow any other runs across three innings of work while striking out five. The lefty logged 41 pitches, and following the 9-1 United States win, he acknowledged the emotions of the tournament may keep him around a bit longer. "I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp," Skubal said. "Things have changed, obviously, that's why I'm going to have some conversations to try and figure out a plan for me." If Skubal does pitch again in the WBC, it could come in a quarterfinal matchup for the U.S. on either March 13 or 14, though nothing official has been announced. The Detroit ace would likely have a similar workload in a potential second WBC outing as he gears up for the start of the regular season.

Skubal is set to start for the United States against Great Britain on Saturday in the World Baseball Classic, which will be his only start in the tournament, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was previously reported that Skubal would appear only once during WBC pool play, and that start is now scheduled for the United States' second game. The southpaw should have an advantage against a Great Britain squad that doesn't have a ton of high-end MLB talent, but it remains to be seen how long he'll be asked to go into the contest. Following the WBC, Skubal is slated to return to Detroit's camp as he prepares for his Opening Day start against the Padres on March 26.

Skubal allowed two hits across two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner picked up where he left off last season as he breezed through two strong innings on 31 pitches. Skubal has already been named Detroit's Opening Day starter, so his workload will likely be closely managed the rest of spring training as he gears up for that contest. The southpaw is also scheduled to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, though he only plans on making one start during pool play next week before returning to camp, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. That should leave Skubal fairly fresh heading into Opening Day after he made 31 regular-season starts each of the last two years.

Manager A.J. Hinch announced Wednesday that Skubal will draw the starting nod for the Tigers' Opening Day game March 26 versus the Padres in San Diego, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

While his long-term future in Detroit remains murky, Skubal will once again head into the 2026 campaign as the staff ace coming off back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards. The Tigers may look to manage Skubal's innings during the Grapefruit League after he logged a combined 216 frames between the regular season and playoffs in 2025, but he should be fully ramped up and ready to handle a standard workload by the time Opening Day arrives.

Skubal will make $32 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing with the Tigers on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Tigers had filed for $19 million, but after taking home the AL Cy Young Award in each of the past two seasons, Skubal will officially receive the largest arbitration salary ever awarded. The 29-year-old left-hander turned in a 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP while striking out 241 batters over 195.1 innings in 2025 and has shown no signs of slowing down heading into his seventh MLB season.

Skubal was named the 2025 American League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old lefty didn't receive all 30 first-place votes like he did in 2024, as four went to Garrett Crochet, but Skubal will take home Cy Young Award honors for the second consecutive season nonetheless. His 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP during the regular season both represented career-best marks, as did his 241 strikeouts and 195.1 innings.

Skubal didn't factor into the decision in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Mariners on Friday, giving up one earned run on two hits while striking out 13 batters across six innings. He did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Outside of a second-inning double from Josh Naylor, which later resulted in a run, the Mariners were helpless to get any sort of offense going against Skubal. By striking out 13 batters Friday, the 28-year-old lefty tied the MLB record for most punchouts with no walks in a postseason game, and he became the first pitcher in MLB history to record multiple 13-strikeout performances in the same postseason. The Tigers were unable to come away with the win after 15 innings, however, so Skubal will now shift his focus to next season and is likely to repeat as one of the top fantasy performers in the sport in 2026.

Skubal permitted two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings in a no-decision Sunday in Seattle. He struck out nine.

EDGE Analysis

Jorge Polanco proved to be Skubal's kryptonite, taking the left-hander deep with solo home runs in the fourth and sixth innings. The Mariners didn't get anything going off Skubal aside from Polanco's exploits, and the southpaw was handed a no-decision after the Tigers rallied to tie the game in the top of the eighth. Skubal has given up a total of three runs while fanning 23 batters over 14.2 frames in his two starts this postseason. He's lined up to start Game 5 of the ALDS, if the series goes the distance.