The Detroit Tigers have been dealt a tough blow to their pitching rotation. Tarik Skubal is being placed on the injured list and will undergo surgery for loose bodies in his elbow.
Skubal to IL; Surgery Pending
Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal will be placed on the injured list and undergo surgery for loose bodies in his elbow.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 4, 2026
A timeline for Skubal’s return is unknown at this time. The surgery he will undergo is routine, so he may only miss a few months, but nothing is definite at this time.
Scratched From Start
Skubal was scheduled to start Monday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. He was scratched a few hours ago, and now we know why. At the time of writing this, the Tigers plan to use their bullpen for the entirety of the game, with Tyler Holton starting the game.
Skubal, coming off consecutive Cy Young awards, was having a somewhat slow start to the season, posting just three wins with a 2.70 ERA.
Tigers Without Their Ace
The Tigers, despite Skubal’s slow start, have had a strong 2026 so far. The Tigers are 18-7, tied with the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central. Without their ace, things will not be any easier for the Tigers, a team with legitimate World Series aspirations.
Thankfully for the Tigers, they do have depth in their pitching rotation. Of course, they would rather have Skubal, but they could be in a worse spot. Also, there is a decent chance Skubal is able to return this season. If he only misses around two months, that would put him back in action sometime in July. There would be plenty of season left for the Tigers to benefit from having their ace in the rotation.
Should complications arise and Skubal miss more time than expected, the Tigers could be active in the trade market.
Last Word On Baseball will post updates as they become available.
Main Photo: Evan Petzold- Imagn Images
