Tarik Skubal will undergo elbow surgery, sidelining him for part of the season. Despite this setback, the Detroit Tigers remain in contention for the AL pennant and World Series title.
Key points
Tarik Skubal will undergo elbow surgery
Skubal's recovery will impact the Tigers' season
Tigers are currently 18-17 in the AL Central
Competition for the AL pennant remains tight
Tigers may reassess their roster by the August 3 deadline
Tarik SkubalDetroit TigersClevelandKansas City
Start with this: There's no replacing Tarik Skubal.
The Detroit Tigers are well aware that there's no readymade replacement for the reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner. But that doesn't mean they have to cash in their chances at winning their first American League pennant since 2012 – or their first World Series title since 1984.
Detroit suffered a significant blow when manager A.J. Hinch revealed Skubal will undergo elbow surgery to remove loose bodies from his throwing arm, a procedure that will sideline him into the second half – and probably right up to the Aug. 3 trading deadline, when the club will assess its spot in the standings and decide whether to add or subtract from its roster.
At 18-17, the Tigers are in a five-team dogfight in the AL Central, one that figures to come down to Detroit, Cleveland and perhaps Kansas City. And with nine AL teams within four games of the .500 mark, the wild card spot should be even more of a taffy pull.
The Tigers certainly suffered a setback, but all is not lost. A look at the ramifications of Skubal's injury and how they may bounce back:
Pitching chaos is a given in Detroit, even with Tarik Skubal
Kind of appropriate that on the day Skubal's surgery was announced, Hinch anointed reliever Tyler Holton the starting pitcher for their May 4 game against visiting Boston.
"Second bullpen game in a row," Hinch noted.
And so it begins.
Q&A
What injury does Tarik Skubal have?
Tarik Skubal is set to undergo elbow surgery to remove loose bodies from his throwing arm.
How long will Tarik Skubal be out for the Tigers?
Skubal's surgery will likely sideline him into the second half of the season, possibly until the August 3 trading deadline.
What is the current standing of the Detroit Tigers?
The Detroit Tigers currently have a record of 18-17 and are competing in a tight race in the AL Central.
Can the Tigers still compete for the AL pennant without Skubal?
Yes, despite Skubal's injury, the Tigers still have a chance to win their first AL pennant since 2012.
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"Pitching chaos" has been a way of life in Detroit since the end of the 2024 season, when the Tigers rode Skubal and a menagerie of mound men to a startling late-season rally for a wild card spot and a playoff sweep of Houston before losing a stirring five-game ALDS to Cleveland.
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
2 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
3 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
4 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
5 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
6 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
7 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
8 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
9 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
10 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
11 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
12 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
13 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
14 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
15 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
16 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
17 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
18 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
19 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
20 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
21 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
In the years since, the Tigers have done their level best to avoid that scenario, re-signing Jack Flaherty, coaxing future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander back to the D and investing $115 million in lefty Framber Valdez.
But just when it looked like they were out ... the openers are back in.
So it goes when 10 pitchers are on the injured list, including bona fide starters Verlander, 2025 All-Star Casey Mize, Tommy John-rehabbing youngster Jackson Jobe and now Skubal. Yet Hinch is really, really good at orchestrating the pitching strategy, even if they may not know who's starting the next game until everyone shows up the following day.
So bring on the Holtons and Brant Hurters and Brenan Hanifees and Ty Maddens. Detroit, this is your pitching staff. Hey, it's worked before.
Framber Valdez must be a rock for Tigers without Tarik Skubal
The dude has pitched the Astros to a World Series title, is almost a lock for 180 to 200 innings a year and is hard to drive from a game. Now Valdez, signed to be a future anchor once Skubal leaves via free agency, must be their rock, immediately.
So far, Valdez has been, well, fine.
He's completed at least six innings in five of his seven starts, and uncoincidentally, the Tigers are 5-2 when he takes the mound. A .714 winning percentage will win a lot of divisions.
Valdez is not a threat to throw a no-hitter every time out like Skubal is. Yet he almost always keeps you in games, and that's a bargain these days at $115 million. If he can maintain, the Tigers should be fine.
Jack Flaherty must find the strike zone
With a 5.90 ERA through seven starts, Jack Flaherty knows he must be better. Says he's losing sleep over his performance. And realizes that a 17.7% walk rate and a 46.3% hard-hit percentage is a lethal combination.
Look at it like this: The Tigers are right at .500, and Flaherty couldn't be much worse. With the bullpen arms stretched thin thanks to the above chaos, Flaherty will have to give them more than four innings pitched, his average outing thus far.
Tarik Skubal's loss could be mitigated if Jack Flaherty, left, pitches better and Justin Verlander, right, returns from injury.
Tarik Skubal's loss could be mitigated if Jack Flaherty, left, pitches better and Justin Verlander, right, returns from injury.
Detroit's wounded arms claw back from IL
GM Scott Harris knew he was signing a 43-year-old when he brought Justin Verlander back to Detroit. Thirty starts was probably never going to be reality.
And the club has nursed Verlander along in his return from hip inflammation, which sidelined him in April. Yet Verlander hasn't graduated beyond numerous bullpen sessions, with vague plans beyond that after Hinch acknowledged the recovery was going "slower than I think he or we anticipated."
Meanwhile, Casey Mize, second only to Skubal in his effectiveness this season, hit the IL last week with a right adductor strain. A vexing injury, and a discouraging prognosis after Mize initially said his groin tightness didn't seem too serious.
The Tigers have to get Mize's recovery right the first time, regardless of the length of his absence. Even if it's tough to shelve a 2.90 ERA.
Tarik Skubal returns with a vengeance after attacking recovery
Let's not forget: Skubal is a beast.
The man with the nastiest fastball-changeup combo in the majors will surely attack his rehab and recovery with ferocity. And while the Tigers, like almost any organization in this era, will keep it vague on the prognosis and timeline, the two to three months that this surgery typically takes away will be a ticking clock for both the patient, the ballclub and fans.
No, Skubal won't be able to speedrun his return. But if he at least hits the early part of the timeline and can work back up to something resembling full strength by mid-August, the Tigers will be well-armed for the stretch run and potentially the playoffs.
It's on Hinch and club president Scott Harris to ensure they're well-positioned when that time comes.
