Tigers may lose key part of rotation through 2026

Jackson Jobe was expected to be a key part of the Detroit Tigers' present and future. That future is now on hold.

Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported that Jobe will undergo Tommy John surgery. He will be sidelined through the rest of 2025 and could miss the entire 2026 season as he recovers from the procedure.

A consensus top 100 prospect since 2022, Jobe was ranked as the Tigers' top prospect and the fifth-best prospect in baseball by MLB.com entering the season. He was considered to have three plus offerings with a fastball that touched triple digits, a biting slider and a devastating changeup. 

Jobe debuted with the Tigers in 2024, allowing just one hit and one walk, striking out two batters over four shutout innings in relief. His time on the Tigers' postseason roster did not go as well, as he allowed three runs on five hits and hit a batter in his 1.2 playoff innings.

That experience was expected to serve as a springboard for Jobe this season. His performance was somewhat underwhelming, as he posted a 4.22 ERA and a 1.490 WHiP over his 49 innings, striking out 39 batters with 27 walks. Given the news that Jobe is undergoing Tommy John surgery, it is possible that his disappointing performance was due to injury.

The Tigers can withstand missing Jobe this season. Pitchers Reese Olson and Alex Cobb should return to the rotation soon. Former top prospect Casey Mize is starting to live up to his potential, joining pitchers Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty to give the Tigers a formidable trio atop the rotation. However, the Tigers will miss out on most of two years of team control while Jobe is sidelined.