The Detroit Tigers will take the field without their ace Monday night, as Tarik Skubal has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox for precautionary reasons, according to baseball insider Jon Heyman.

The 29-year-old left-hander was slated to face Red Sox rookie Payton Tolle in what promised to be a compelling pitching matchup. However, the Tigers have yet to announce a replacement starter or disclose the nature of Skubal's issue.

"Tarik Skubal is being scratched tonight. But hope and belief is he will be OK. Seen as a precautionary move," Heyman reported.

This development comes during what has been another sensational season for the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Through seven starts, Skubal has posted a stellar 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 43 1/3 innings, putting him firmly in the conversation for a third consecutive Cy Young.

With Skubal in the final year of his rookie contract and expected to hit free agency at season's end, every start carries added weight for both the Tigers' playoff hopes and his future market value. For now, Detroit fans can only hope this is indeed a minor precaution rather than the start of something more serious.