NEW YORK — Tarik Skubal won the American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday, the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced. The Detroit Tigers left-hander became the first pitcher in American League history to claim the honour in three consecutive seasons. The result was revealed on MLB Network during baseball's annual awards week.

Skubal, who turned 30 in August, won his first Cy Young in 2024 and retained it in 2025. Only two pitchers had previously won three or more in a row, both in the National League.

Greg Maddux won four straight between 1992 and 1995, and Randy Johnson matched that run from 1999 to 2002. Roger Clemens won back-to-back AL awards twice but never a third in succession.

The award was decided by 30 BBWAA members, two from each American League city, with ballots submitted before the postseason began. Skubal again anchored the Tigers' rotation, combining strikeout dominance with innings volume that few starters now reach. The National League award was announced in the same broadcast.

The timing gives the honour unusual financial weight. The Tigers extended Skubal a qualifying offer last week, and he is widely expected to reject it in pursuit of a record contract for a pitcher. Scott Boras, his agent, has argued throughout the season that Skubal belongs in the market's highest salary tier, and a third Cy Young strengthens that case before talks with rival clubs begin.

The announcement also arrives under the shadow of baseball's expiring collective bargaining agreement, which runs out on 1 December. Negotiators for MLB and the players' association have yet to agree terms, leaving free agents and clubs uncertain about how quickly the market will move. The Most Valuable Player awards are scheduled to close awards week on Thursday.