Detroit Tigers Get Huge Boost With Veteran Pitcher After Tarik Skubal Injury

Detroit Tigers (Image Credits: Imagn)

Detroit Tigers Get Huge Boost With Veteran Pitcher After Tarik Skubal Injury

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated May 9, 2026 8:52 AM ET

The Detroit Tigers expressed strong intentions for the 2026 campaign by keeping hold of Tarik Skubal for his final year under club control. The 29-year-old lefty secured a landmark arbitration settlement in February for his final year before reaching free agency. However, the Tigers took a huge blow as Tarik Skubal landed on the IL to have surgery on his left elbow.

On Friday, the Detroit Tigers fanbase received a much-needed positive update on the situation with their starting rotation. Justin Verlander is getting closer to returning to the Tigers from the IL. The 43-year-old completed a bullpen session earlier this week without facing any hiccups. It thereby clears him for the next stage of his rehabilitation process.

“I’m feeling good,” Verlander told reporters on Wednesday at Comerica Park. “I’m starting the build-up process. I don’t know exactly what that looks like, but physically, I’m feeling much better, and mechanically, I’m also feeling much better. Those are good signs.”

Justin Verlander will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, hopefully will face hitters in sim game this weekend. He’ll likely need another step beyond that, either a rehab start or a sim game, before he’s cleared to return from injured list and rejoin Tigers rotation.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) May 5, 2026

The Detroit Tigers placed Verlander on the 15-day IL on April 4 due to left hip inflammation. He made only one start this year, giving up five earned runs over 3.2 innings on six hits and two walks.

Tigers Bringing Justin Verlander On Road Trip For Live BP Session

Justin Verlander will travel with the Detroit Tigers this weekend for the three-game series on the road against the Kansas City Royals. According to MLB.com, he will throw a live BP session at Kauffman Stadium on May 9.

Tarik Skubal & Justin Verlander (Image Credits: Imagn)

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Verlander said. “The biggest thing I’m going to focus on is trying to maintain the mechanics that I’ve been working so diligently on—and having those transfer over to when you’re competing. It’s nice to face hitters in a non-game atmosphere so you can focus more on yourself and not just on results.”

Verlander will probably need to complete a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo before rejoining the Detroit Tigers’ rotation. The three-time Cy Young winner signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the team in the offseason.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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