The Detroit Tigers are navigating a storm of medical updates, but Tuesday brought a mix of tough news and promising signs for the team's pitching staff and lineup.
In a significant blow, ace left-hander Tarik Skubal is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. Manager AJ Hinch confirmed the procedure, though he declined to name the surgeon out of respect for Skubal's privacy. The 28-year-old, who has been a bright spot in the rotation, expressed his determination to return quickly. "I want to get this done as soon as possible so I can get back and help this team as soon as possible," Skubal said Monday, when his move to the injured list and the need for surgery were announced.
On a more encouraging note, second baseman Gleyber Torres avoided the injured list despite lingering soreness in his left side. Torres has been held out of the starting lineup for two straight games after banging his left hip on a slide and tumble at home plate Saturday. "Feeling better," Torres said. "Been doing therapy, trying to get ready. I'm still feeling it a little bit." He participated in defensive drills Monday and took batting practice Tuesday, with hopes of being available as a pinch-hitter if needed. "Still not quite ready to give him a full work day," Hinch said. "Right now I'd rather play the fully healthy (Hao-Yu) Lee with the ball-in-play with Framber Valdez pitching over risking too much with Gleyber. We hope he is ready to go as early as tomorrow." Torres added that an MRI showed no structural damage, calling it just a bruise.
Meanwhile, future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander is taking steps toward his return from hip inflammation, which has sidelined him since early April. He's scheduled to throw another bullpen session before Wednesday's game, with Hinch noting that the next phase will involve facing hitters in simulated games during the Tigers' upcoming road trips to Kansas City and New York. Verlander, eager to test himself against live batters, is hopeful he can build up his pitch count without needing rehab starts at Triple-A.