The Detroit Tigers have been dealt a devastating blow just ahead of their series against the Boston Red Sox. Two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal has been placed on the 15-day injured list with loose bodies in his left elbow, retroactive to May 1.

This injury news is particularly crushing for Detroit, as Skubal was scheduled to start Monday's series opener against Boston. The left-handed ace has been dominant this season, posting a 3-2 record with a 2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts across 43 1/3 innings over seven starts.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, Skubal will undergo surgery to address the issue. While the procedure is considered relatively routine, the best guess for his return is approximately two months. The Tigers have recalled right-hander Ty Madden from Triple-A Toledo to fill the roster spot.

Skubal's injury creates a stunning scenario in the American League Cy Young race. He joins Boston's Garrett Crochet—the 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up who landed on the IL April 29 with left shoulder inflammation—and Houston Astros ace Hunter Brown (shoulder strain) on the sidelines. That means all three top finishers from last year's Cy Young voting are currently unavailable.

For the Red Sox, this news changes the complexion of their upcoming series, though they're dealing with their own ace's absence. The matchup that promised a marquee pitching duel between two of the game's elite left-handers will now feature two teams scrambling to adjust their rotations.