Tarik Skubal won't make another WBC start, citing spring plan and contract stakes

HOUSTON (AP) — Tarik Skubal didn’t get a lot of sleep the last two nights as he mulled whether to pitch again for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

In the end, the Detroit Tigers ace and reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner decided against it.

“My spring training start days were scripted out in January with the original plan being starting and then being done,” Skubal said. “And obviously when I got here my emotions kind of changed a little bit, my thought process changed a little bit and tried to make it work but just couldn’t. And I hate it, but it’s all right.”

He said he made the decision after consulting with the Tigers and manager A.J. Hinch, his agent Scott Boras and his teammates in Houston and at spring training in Florida.

“The resounding message was to kind of be done but still be around the team as much as I can,” Skubal said.

Skubal is eligible to become a free agent after this season and is expected to secure a nine-figure contract. He said his decision would have “probably” been different if not for the contract implications.

Skubal gave up a home run to Nate Eaton on his first pitch Saturday night but allowed just one single after that while striking out five in three innings of a 9-1 victory over Britain.

Manager Mark DeRosa fully understands why he chose not to start again and supports his decision.

“I know what’s at stake for him,” DeRosa said. “I’m over the moon he decided to show in the first place for us — I really am — and take the ball for us. I think it meant a lot to a lot of guys in that room. We know where his heart is. If he was in a different situation, he wouldn’t be leaving.”

Last month, Skubal said he intended to make only one WBC start regardless of how far the U.S. advanced because he wanted to remain on a regular spring training regimen and ramp up for opening day with Detroit.

He said he was surprised with how emotional pitching for his country made him and it caused him to rethink his decision.

“I totally misread how I would feel,” he said. “And I feel like I’m genuinely a guy that kind of understands emotions, I pitch with a lot of them, but, yeah, I missed it there, and that’s what made this decision tough.”

He added that he will make the trip from Tigers camp in Lakeland, Florida, to Miami to be with the team if the U.S. advances there for the semifinals and the finals.

He was asked if he was at peace with his decision.

“No, no, I’m still not,” he said. “I think the only way I’ll be at peace with it is in Miami celebrating after we win the whole (expletive) thing.”

Skubal added that he would love to pitch in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if MLB players are allowed to participate and that he’ll be the first to sign up for the next WBC.

“I love America,” he said. “I love our country. I love everything that this tournament is about.”

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United States starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Britain, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Left-hander Jesús Luzardo and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed on a $135 million, five-year contract that starts in 2027, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not yet been announced.

The 28-year-old Luzardo went 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA in 183 2/3 innings and was second in the National League with 212 strikeouts in his first season with the Phillies.

Luzardo agreed in January to an $11 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration. He entered this season seven days shy of six years of major league service, a level that would have made him eligible for free agency.

He was acquired ahead of the 2025 season in a trade with Miami and instantly helped solidify the rotation – he struck out 11 in his first start against Washington -- as the Phillies won their second straight NL East championship. The only time a pitcher recorded more strikeouts in his first game with Philadelphia came in 1997, when Garrett Stephenson had 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Luzardo is 41-41 over seven seasons that also included stops with Oakland and the Marlins. He is the latest Phillies starter to agree to a long-term deal.

Cristopher Sánchez has a $22.5 million, four-year contract through the 2028 season, Zack Wheeler a $126 million deal through the 2027 and Aaron Nola a $172 million, seven=-year agreement through 2030. Rookie Andrew Painter is expected to earn the fifth-starter spot in the rotation

The Phillies had a busy offseason. They gave manager Rob Thomson a one-year extension through 2027 after he led the Phillies to their fourth straight playoff appearance, signed NL home run champion Kyle Schwarber to a $150 million, five-year deal and three-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to a $45 million, three-year contract.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

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FILE - Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo throws out Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez at first during the fourth inning in Game 2 of baseball's National League Division Series, Oct. 6, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)