Tiger ace starter Skubal makes his spring training debut in live batting practice, hitters swinging and missing repeatedly.

Tarik Skubal walked down from the mound as the PitchCom on his body suddenly started ringing.

“Can you hear me?” Skubal shouted to catcher Jake Rogers.

“I didn’t hear a thing,” Rogers replied, wearing the other end of the PitchCom headset, “my ears are blocked.”

For this two-time AL Reliever of the Year and his longtime catcher partner, this was just a fun moment in the season’s first “rehearsal.” But truthfully, even without the communication devices, they could easily get through the Tigers’ hitters.

Just a few years ago, having pitchers face hitters before full squad workouts was almost unimaginable. But as more pitchers start throwing before spring training, hitters also want earlier live pitching to find their rhythm, making this setup less unusual.

“Every year I’m amazed at how prepared the players are,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “We actually have to cool them down. This is the first time in my coaching career we’ve arranged live batting practice before full squad workouts, purely because their throwing progress has reached this level...”

“It’s tough to manage everyone’s condition, so pitching coach Chris Fetter has a big task. We try to tailor work individually; some have only thrown three or four bullpen sessions, others already ten. Before, we treated everyone the same and moved at a uniform pace to the season, but not anymore.”

Given the choice between bullpen work and facing hitters, Skubal said he definitely prefers the latter. It’s not about preparing for the Classic; he just got tired of bullpen sessions and wanted to see hitters’ reactions.

“I’ve thrown eight bullpen sessions, that’s enough,” Skubal said.

Gleyber Torres, Jahmai Jones, and Hao-Yu Lee were lucky to be the first “test subjects.” All three reported early to prepare for the Classic, representing Venezuela, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei respectively. Facing Skubal this morning at the Tigers’ secondary field might have been the most intimidating at-bats they’ve had this spring.

In 20 live pitches, each swung and missed at least once; no one managed a solid hit.

Jones shook his head as he left the batter’s box. His role with the Tigers is to specialize against lefties, but facing Skubal is a whole different challenge—no matter the situation.

“I’ve never been this motivated before, wanting to win a championship here,” Skubal said.

This might be Skubal’s final spring training with the Tigers—he qualifies for free agency next winter—but that doesn’t affect his motivation. Last week’s arbitration hearing didn’t either. After a somewhat public offseason filled with trade rumors, salary talks, and arbitration, he’s finally back where he feels most comfortable—the mound.

“I want to win. That’s my focus,” Skubal said. “Everything off the field is behind me. I want to win, I want to bring a championship to the city of Detroit. This place means a lot to me.”