The starting rotation for Team USA in the Classic has been set, with Webb, Skubal, and Skenes leading the way.

The star-studded starting rotation for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic has been confirmed.

Manager Mark DeRosa announced today that Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Nolan McLean will start the first four games of the group stage, in that order.

Webb will take the mound in Saturday's opener for Team USA against Brazil at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Skubal will make his sole Classic start on Sunday against Great Britain. Another reigning Cy Young Award winner, Skenes, will follow on March 10 against Mexico. McLean is slated to start on March 11 against Italy, though the Mets right-hander missed Team USA's first workout today at the Giants' Papago Park training complex due to illness. DeRosa noted that McLean remains at the Mets' spring training camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and his status will be re-evaluated in the coming days.

"He's feeling a little under the weather down in Port St. Lucie," DeRosa said. "He's still there, and we'll reassess day by day."

Skubal, Skenes, and Webb, who collectively have won three Cy Young Awards and earned six All-Star selections, give this U.S. squad the most talented starting rotation in the tournament's history.

"They will undoubtedly change our game," DeRosa said. "No disrespect to the other players. First and foremost, you want guys who are eager to be part of this group. If you call them and they want you to arrange everything, lay out the entire schedule for them, then this event isn't for them."

"For me, it's about honest communication with the players throughout the year. Skenes was easy; that made my job a lot simpler. Skubal was a gradual process. I reached out to him about every two months all year. Pitching coach Andy Pettitte was in touch with him too. I wanted Logan back in 2023, but he signed an extension that offseason. Everyone has their own story about why they joined this team and about those phone calls we had."

Skubal, who is approaching free agency, will return to Tigers spring training after his one group stage start, while both Skenes and Webb have stated their intention to play the full tournament, aiming to help Team USA win its first Classic title since 2017.

Even though Skubal is only pitching once, Team USA captain Aaron Judge expressed his appreciation that the Tigers' ace was willing to wear the red, white, and blue and represent his country in a contract year.

"It absolutely means a lot, given his situation," Judge said. "He's won the Cy Young two years running. This guy is about to sign a half-billion dollar contract next offseason. He's willing to take that risk for his country, to come here and be with us. Even if it's just for one game, everything you do carries some risk. The fact he's willing to take that risk to come be with us, the guys love it. There's excitement in the clubhouse. It's important. Maybe we can squeeze one more out of him. Who knows? We'll see."

Skenes will make his final pre-Classic tune-up in tomorrow's exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Matthew Boyd, Gabe Speier, David Bednar, Griffin Jax, and Mason Miller are also scheduled to pitch in that game.