Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal is facing an unexpected setback. The reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner has been scratched from his scheduled start and is heading to the injured list due to loose bodies in his throwing elbow. Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that Skubal will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove the debris, though no official timeline for his return has been set.
The 29-year-old ace was slated to take the mound Monday against Boston Red Sox lefty Payton Tolle, but those plans changed just hours before game time. This news comes on the heels of an injury scare during Skubal's last outing on April 29 against the Atlanta Braves. In the seventh inning, after delivering a pitch, he shook out his throwing arm and called the training staff to the mound, rubbing his elbow in discomfort. Despite the moment, Skubal struck out the side and finished the inning with 91 pitches before being pulled.
After that game, Skubal was candid about the strange sensation. "I don't really know. Cramp is probably the wrong word," he told MLB.com. "We've heard the word zinger, I guess, but it wasn't really like a nervy thing. I don't know." He managed to complete his usual side sessions in the days following, calling it "a good week of work," but the situation took a turn before Monday's contest.
Skubal has been nothing short of dominant this season. Through seven starts, he boasts a stellar 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 43 1/3 innings. His recent Cy Young wins—back-to-back in 2024 and 2025—cemented his status as one of baseball's elite arms, and he was widely expected to contend for the award again this year. For Tigers fans and baseball enthusiasts alike, this surgery is a tough break for a pitcher who has been the heart of Detroit's rotation.
As Skubal recovers, the Tigers will need to lean on their depth. While the team hasn't set a return date, the hope is that this procedure will resolve the issue and get him back on the mound soon. For now, all eyes are on the recovery process—and on how Detroit's staff steps up in his absence.