Tarik Skubal to Undergo Elbow Surgery
The Detroit Tigers’ standout pitcher and two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal, is set to have arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow. Manager AJ Hinch announced this news on Monday, indicating that Skubal will likely be out for two to three months following the procedure to remove a loose body from his elbow.
While Hinch described the surgery as a “simple process,” it’s undoubtedly a setback for both Skubal and the Tigers’ pitching staff. That said, it must be frustrating for Skubal, who is missing substantial time this season.
During a bullpen session on Sunday, Skubal experienced some stiffness in his arm, which was concerning given his upcoming start against the Boston Red Sox. Although he pitched successfully in his last game—yielding just two runs in seven innings against the Atlanta Braves—he was seen rubbing his arm while on the mound, prompting a check-up from Hinch and a trainer. Still, he managed to continue and finished the game.
Following this injury, the Tigers have called up Ty Madden to fill in at the major league level, and Tyler Holton made a spot start. With Skubal joining Casey Mize and Justin Verlander on the injured list, it appears as though Framber Valdez and Jack Flaherty are the only remaining healthy starters at this moment.
Interestingly, Skubal’s timing for surgery is quite notable, especially considering he just won a record-setting arbitration case this offseason. The Tigers will pay him $32 million for the upcoming season after initially offering a $19 million salary, surpassing the previous record set by Juan Soto.
Looking ahead, Skubal’s future with the team remains somewhat uncertain. Unless a long-term agreement is reached soon, he is likely to become one of the top free agents after this season. Teams will certainly keep an eye on his recovery as he navigates this challenging time.
For now, it seems critical for other players on the Tigers to step forward and fill the gaps in the starting rotation while Skubal is sidelined.
