Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal talking about Tigers reunion has LA radio host freaking out

Tarik Skubal has barely settled into Los Angeles, and he is already talking openly about a possible return to Detroit, a comment that did not sit well with at least one local radio voice. The two-time Cy Young winner opened up about his emotional departure from the Tigers, describing the scene in the clubhouse as he said goodbye to teammates following his trade to the Dodgers.

“Once the media gets out of there, you say bye to teammates, and a lot of those guys are my best friends. It’s like a bunch of men and I’m crying,” Skubal said after the trade. “I hate crying. I don’t cry a lot. My wife walked down the aisle, and I didn’t cry because I was so nervous. And I’m crying in a clubhouse with a bunch of other grown men saying bye to people and getting everybody a hug. So it’s tough.”

It was tough to say goodbye to Detroit for Tarik Skubal pic.twitter.com/VUqFWAHDkK

— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) August 7, 2026

Skubal went further, expressing genuine hope that a reunion with Detroit could happen once he reaches free agency this winter.

“I would love to play my whole career in Detroit. Hopefully those negotiations can pick back up in November, once the playoffs are done, and we’ll see where that goes,” he said.

The comments did not go over well on LA sports radio. Host D-Mac ripped into Skubal’s timing during an episode of D-Mac & Reiter on 97.1 The Fan.

“This guy has barely popped the tags on his Dodgers jersey and he’s out here talking about his ex,” D-Mac, whose real name is Doug McKain, said. “Your ex didn’t love you. Your ex dumped you, and your ex was a six, and you’re upgrading from a six to a supermodel in the Dodgers, and you’re out here complaining about your old team. My man’s going to be in the front yard with a boombox up trying to get Detroit to take him back. I hate this.”

"This guy has barely popped the tags on his #Dodgers jersey and he's out here talking about his ex." @DMAC_LA

Is it time for Tarik #Skubal to move on and focus on his new team?
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/uMmOLGxxLs pic.twitter.com/QSQBvcCroq

— 97.1 The Fan (@TheFanLA) August 7, 2026

D-Mac pointed to the significant return the Dodgers gave up to land Skubal as part of his frustration.

“For an ace-level pitcher, mind you, the Dodgers gave up two prospects that they loved, two premium prospects, and you don’t wait at least a week and you’re already sliding into Detroit’s DMs talking about, ‘Hey, take me back,'” he said.

Skubal was traded to Los Angeles on August 1 in exchange for Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith, giving the Dodgers a rotation that now includes Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow. Whether Skubal ultimately stays in Los Angeles beyond this season or lands back in Detroit remains to be seen, but for now, the emotional ties to his old team clearly have not faded.

The post Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal talking about Tigers reunion has LA radio host freaking out appeared first on ClutchPoints.