Tarik Skubal reaches career milestone in what could be final start as a Tiger

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tarik Skubal reaches career milestone in what could be final start as a Tiger

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Jul 29, 2026 1:53 PM ET

In what could be his final start for the Detroit Tigers , left-hander Tarik Skubal reached a career milestone when he punched out the first batter of the game in Baltimore Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward.

Tarik Skubal reaches 1,000 strikeouts

Skubal's strikeout of Ward was the 1,000th of his career. He became the 17th pitcher in franchise history to reach the milestone and the first since Max Scherzer in 2013.

Skubal also passed Scherzer as the fastest in franchise history to get to the 1,000-strikeout mark. It came on his patented changeup, and he was given a standing ovation from the Detroit crowd.

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ FOR TARIK SKUBAL pic.twitter.com/M5mA5FIT2p
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 29, 2026

Is Wednesday Tarik Skubal's last start for the Tigers?

Entering Wednesday, Detroit sat five games out of the third and final AL wild-card spot. With just three games remaining for the Tigers ahead of the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, a decision will need to be made relatively quickly.

It is well-known that Skubal is the hottest commodity ahead of the deadline. Any team that believes it can win the World Series is likely in on Skubal.

It will ultimately be the Tigers performance over the next few days to determine whether or not he is moved. If the decision is indeed to trade Skubal, he'll leave Detroit having cemented himself as one of the best pitchers in recent franchise history.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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