The Detroit Tigers received some tough news today as ace pitcher Tarik Skubal is set to undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. For a team that's been battling for first place in the American League Central, this is a significant blow to their rotation.

Skubal, 29, has been nothing short of dominant over the past two seasons. The left-hander captured the American League Cy Young Award in both 2024 and 2025, leading the league in ERA each year. Through seven starts this season, he's posted a stellar 2.70 ERA across 43.1 innings, proving he's still at the top of his game.

Currently playing on a one-year, record-setting $32 million contract won through arbitration this past offseason, Skubal is widely considered the top player expected to hit the free agent market this winter. This elbow issue, however, could complicate both his immediate future and his long-term value.

This isn't Skubal's first encounter with elbow troubles. He previously underwent Tommy John surgery during his college days at the University of Seattle, and flexor tendon surgery on his elbow at the end of the 2022 season sidelined him for the first half of 2023. At this point, there's no official timeline for his return.

The Tigers, currently tied for first place in the AL Central with an 18-17 record, are already dealing with injuries to starting pitchers Casey Mize and Justin Verlander. After taking two of three games from the Texas Rangers this past week, Detroit will need to dig deep into their pitching depth to stay competitive without their ace on the mound.