Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal got into a heated back-and-forth with Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil during Friday's game.
Skubal started yelling and pointing toward the White Sox dugout after striking out Colson Montgomery to end the fifth inning with the bases loaded. Vasil barked back at Skubal as he exited the field.
Some chirping between Tarik Skubal and Mike Vasil after Skubal struck out Colson Montgomery. 👀
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 20, 2026
(Via: @SoxOn35th) pic.twitter.com/o7xHdYPIAj
More chirping back and forth pic.twitter.com/edrlSuL4It
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 20, 2026
Following the Tigers' 4-3 win, Vasil said Skubal thought he was stealing signs, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
"I was up there on the top step and helping the team out, cheering them on. Next thing I know, I'm getting reamed out," Vasil said, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
Vasil added, "I think it was some pretty choice words, and then I shared back some choice words. It was good stuff."
Postgame, Skubal wouldn't elaborate on why he'd been upset with Vasil.
"I'm a competitive guy. I kind of wear my emotions out there and that's part of how I play the game," he said, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. "I think it's just baseball, going back and forth. It is what it is. It happened. It's over with."
Friday's outing was Skubal's first at Comerica Park since he recovered from an elbow procedure. Vasil hasn't pitched this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March.
The White Sox are 8.5 games ahead of the Tigers in the AL Central standings.
