Skubal to make only 1 start for Team USA at WBC

Tarik Skubal's time at the World Baseball Classic will be short-lived.

The reigning AL Cy Young winner said Monday that he'll make just one start for Team USA at the WBC before returning to spring camp with the Detroit Tigers, according to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen.

"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," he said. "I think it's kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I'm grateful they took me in that capacity."

Skubal's outing is expected to occur during pool play, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery, meaning he'll pitch either March 6 vs. Brazil, March 7 vs. Great Britain, or March 9 vs. Mexico.

Pitchers can't throw more than 65 pitches in an outing during pool play.

"If they go to the finals, I think I'm going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys," Skubal added, per Stavenhagen.

The southpaw is one of the top pitchers on a stacked American roster, which includes arms such as Paul Skenes, Logan Webb, and Joe Ryan.

Skubal, who's a pending free agent, posted a 2.21 ERA and 11.1 K/9 in 195 innings last season en route to his second consecutive Cy Young win.