Tigers Receive Tarik Skubal News Before Royals Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated May 7, 2026 1:52 PM ET

The Detroit Tigers worst-case scenario came true earlier this week when manager A.J. Hinch revealed that Tarik Skubal would need surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies. Skubal was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against the Boston Red Sox and was subsequently placed on the injured list.

For a Tigers team sitting two games under .500 and falling short of expectations, losing Skubal for an extended stretch is a massive blow. The 29-year-old left-hander was in the midst of another dominant season, posting a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts through his first seven starts. He was hoping to become just the fifth pitcher in MLB history to win three straight American League Cy Young Awards, a goal now likely out of reach given the time he will miss.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29)© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

However, Skubal may not be sidelined nearly as long as initially feared. He underwent surgery on Wednesday, and the first update afterward was overwhelmingly positive.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the procedure was a success and that only one relatively small loose body needed to be removed. Skubal’s original recovery timeline was estimated at 2-3 months, but Heyman noted that two months seems like a "conservative estimate" and that a return in 4-6 weeks is now possible. He also added that Skubal could begin his ramp-up process almost immediately within the coming days.

This is a major development for both the Tigers and their ace. For Detroit, getting Skubal back in a month would be the best-case scenario for a rotation that desperately needs stability.

Tarik Skubal elbow surgery was such a success he could start working out within days, and two months is even seen as a conservative estimate for the 2-time Cy Young winner to return. 4 to 6 weeks possible. One relatively small loose body was removed.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 7, 2026

For Skubal, the shortened timeline represents a far smaller setback than expected, especially in a contract year. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end and is widely projected to secure the largest pitching contract in MLB history.

Now in his seventh season with Detroit, Skubal has developed into the most dominant arm in baseball. A two-time All-Star, he has been the driving force behind the Tigers back-to-back postseason appearances and remains the centerpiece of their hopes in 2026.

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

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