Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal gave fans a collective heart-stopping moment last Wednesday, but the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner is ready to take the mound again. The left-hander is scheduled to start Monday in the opener of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park, putting to rest any lingering concerns after an injury scare that had the entire Tigers organization on edge.

The drama unfolded in the seventh inning of Detroit's 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on April 29. The 29-year-old ace shook his left arm, removed his glove, and was seen rubbing his elbow—a sight no Tigers fan wants to witness. Manager A.J. Hinch, assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades, and catcher Dillon Dingler rushed to the mound for a visit. After a quick practice pitch, Skubal stayed in the game and proceeded to strike out the side, finishing his outing with authority.

So what exactly happened? Hinch later revealed that Skubal experienced "a funny feeling on the outside of his arm" in the seventh inning. The pitcher himself was characteristically vague. "I don't really know," Skubal said roughly 27 hours before Monday's start, still trying to make sense of the moment. "You've heard the word zinger, I guess, but it wasn't really like a nerve thing, so I don't know."

The good news? Skubal threw his regular bullpen session between starts and felt just fine. "I think a lot of people were [wondering about the injury scare], but I don't think I was one of them," he said. "I felt like I would be already coming out of it. After next-day soreness, I was like, 'Yeah, I'm going to be all right.'"

That confidence is crucial for a Tigers team that has been battling an alarming wave of injuries. Hinch acknowledged the heightened concern before Sunday's game, noting that utility player Zach McKinstry, right-hander Casey Mize, shortstop Javier Báez, and right-handed reliever Will Vest have all landed on the injured list recently. "It's not specific to Tarik, but it's the way our injured list has grown," Hinch said. "It's always heightened awareness right now."

With Skubal healthy and ready to go, Detroit can breathe a little easier as they face the Red Sox. For fans rocking Tigers gear, Monday's start is one you won't want to miss—their ace is back in business.