Tarik Skubal calls Benedict Arnold comparisons from disgruntled Team USA fans 'just not fair'

Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci hit back-to-back home runs to give Italy an early lead over the United States.

Tarik Skubal, the back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner, was always scheduled to return to the Detroit Tigers after making one World Baseball Classic (WBC) start for Team USA. 

He even got backing from teammates, who understood why he was leaving the tournament early. 

But what Skubal didn’t expect was the social media backlash from USA fans, who have been comparing him to infamous American traitor Benedict Arnold. 

Yes, some have been calling Skubal the equivalent of Arnold, who changed his American uniform for a British one in the Revolutionary War. Skubal doesn’t believe that’s fair, especially considering he didn’t go to another team in the WBC. 

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Tarik Skubal of the United States reacts during a World Baseball Classic Pool B game against Great Britain at Daikin Park March 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)

Instead, he returned to his MLB squad to continue ramping up for an important season ahead of a potential free agent offseason after the 2026 campaign. 

"It’s just not fair," Skubal said about the Arnold comparison, via The Athletic. "But that’s part of the business. It’s part of the game. If they know me, though, on a personal level, and they know what my peers think of me, I don’t think it’s fair to say those things. 

"This was always the plan, and as emotional or how much I wanted to (stay), it just didn’t make sense, given the timing."

TARIK SKUBAL LEAVES TEAM USA TO RETURN TO TIGERS CAMP DESPITE MIXED FEELINGS AFTER SUCCESSFUL START

Perhaps it's fitting Skubal’s start came against Great Britain considering the angle of vitriol