Tigers ace Tarik Skubal provides huge injury update

Skubal's agent, Scott Boras, said renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache used a NanoScope (an advanced camera system) to locate the bone shards in his left elbow and remove them. This operation is much less invasive than traditional surgery, shortening Skubal's recovery time. 

He shined in his first rehab start on Sunday for High-A West Michigan. The star allowed just two hits, struck out six batters and threw 44 strikes on 54 pitches against Dayton.

With that performance, it's reasonable to assume Skubal will pick up right where he left off. Before being sidelined, the pitcher had posted a 3-2 starting record, 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in seven games. 

A Skubal return could provide the jolt the Tigers need. Entering Tuesday, Detroit (27-39) was 5-5 in its last 10 games and was nine games behind the AL Central-leading Guardians (37-31). Injuries to fellow starting pitchers Casey Mize (adductor) and Justin Verlander (hip) have exacerbated the club's problems. 

"I've never had a team that's faced this [many] injury struggles," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said recently, via ESPN's Bradford Doolittle. "When you lose half your team at some point, it doesn't feel good. It doesn't look good. We're always searching for answers, but we're never going to use it as an excuse. Is it part of it? Of course, it is."

Skubal's potential return should help the injury-riddled Tigers flip their fortunes, unless they trade him before the trade deadline on Aug. 3 (6 p.m. ET). His name keeps popping up in trade rumors.