The Detroit Tigers are facing a significant challenge, but manager A.J. Hinch isn't waving the white flag just yet. "You can't deny it's a big blow, but we're not canceling the season," Hinch said after news broke that ace Tarik Skubal needs elbow surgery.

The reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner was scratched from his start Monday against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park and placed on the injured list with loose bodies in his left elbow. While there's no official timetable for his return, Skubal is expected to miss multiple months before rejoining the rotation at some point in the 2026 season.

"It's a big test," Hinch added, as his Tigers entered Monday's series opener with an 18-17 record. "We're going to play the games."

Skubal has been nothing short of dominant this season, posting a 2.70 ERA with just six walks and 45 strikeouts across 43⅓ innings in seven starts. From 2023 through 2026, the Tigers have gone 54-30 in his 84 starts, a staggering .643 winning percentage fueled by his 2.41 ERA over 511 innings.

The injury bug hasn't been kind to Detroit's pitching staff. The rotation now has three pitchers on the IL: Skubal, right-hander Casey Mize (right adductor strain), and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander (left hip inflammation). The bullpen is also down a key arm with right-handed reliever Will Vest sidelined by right lateral forearm inflammation.

And it doesn't stop there. The position-player group has three more injured: center fielder Parker Meadows (left radius fracture), utility player Zach McKinstry (left hip/abdominal inflammation), and shortstop Javier Báez (right ankle sprain). That's not even counting three other starting pitchers who went down before Opening Day: right-handers Jackson Jobe (Tommy John surgery), Reese Olson (right shoulder surgery), and Troy Melton (left elbow inflammation).

Despite the mounting challenges, Skubal struck a resilient tone less than 24 hours before his IL placement. "It takes more than five starters and eight relievers and 13 position players," he said. "Every team goes through that. That's where depth matters in this organization."

For Tigers fans, the message is clear: the season isn't over, but the road ahead just got a whole lot tougher. How this team responds will define their 2026 campaign.