The Detroit Tigers have a significant injury affecting their starting rotation for the foreseeable future. The team will be without two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal as he recovers from surgery.
Videos by FanBuzz
The team did not provide a recovery timeline, nor did the pitcher. The "typical" timeline is approximately two to three months. For now, the Tigers will promote Ty Madden from Triple-A Toledo.
"We have scratched Tarik Skubal tonight," tigers manager A.J. Hinch said during a press conference on Monday. "Tyler Holton will make his second consecutive start as we put together another bullpen game. Tarik will also go on the injured list.
"Kinda walk through the timeline — he's got loose bodies in his elbow, which we determined (on Sunday night)."
A.J. Hinch's update on Tarik Skubal, who was placed on the injured list prior to today's game.
Watch the full media session here: https://t.co/GxWCaxqqFD pic.twitter.com/LGKlsTtwka
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 4, 2026
Hinch continued and said that Skubal had another "episode" during Sunday's game against the Rangers, a 7-1 win. The team had some scans done on Sunday, which revealed the loose bodies. Now, Skubal will have to undergo surgery to repair the issue.
"It's a relative, easy process and procedure outside of he's going to miss some time," Hinch added. "That's why we scratched him, that's why we're putting him on the injured list. And the next schedule is going to get him into a doctor's office and set up the procedure."
Skubal has dealt with this lingering issue since spring training. It particularly caused the team concern last Wednesday during the seventh inning of a game against the Braves.
He shook his left arm, grabbed his forearm, and called catcher Dillon Dingler to the mound. He also met with Hinch and assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades before ultimately continuing with the game.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Skubal is earning $32 million this year after a three-person salary arbitration panel ruled in his favor in February. The Tigers had proposed a $19 million salary for the season, but he proposed a much higher number.
Instead of settling the case like the majority of arbitration-eligible players, he moved forward and built his case on the fact that starting pitchers have earned salaries of more than $40 million.
The 2026 season will be Skubal's last under his current deal. He is set to become a free agent after the season. He will likely earn a massive contract, but this elbow surgery will potentially affect the amount that he makes.
