MLB News: Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal to Undergo Surgery, Impacting Potential Dodgers Pursuit

“Skubal should return before season’s end, but a tough blow for the impending free agent and two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner,” Passan wrote.

What does this mean for the Dodgers?

The Dodgers had been rumored to target Skubal if they needed more help in their starting rotation, but it seems highly unlikely now that Skubal is sidelined.

That’s likely good news for Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki, who both seem to be under a bit of pressure as Blake Snell nears his return to the Dodgers, forcing the removal of a starter from the rotation.

Manager Dave Roberts has indicated Sheehan and Sasaki, as well as Wrobleski, could be shifted in the next few weeks when Snell comes back.

Dodgers have also been affected by loose bodies in a pitcher’s elbow

If the loose bodies surgery sounds familiar to you, it’s likely because star closer Edwin Diaz underwent a similar surgery not too long ago.

Per Armdocs.com, loose bodies in the elbow are “small fragments of bone or gristle, which are floating in the joint.”

It’s often caused by wear and tear — issues affecting many pitchers — and can cause a catching or locking of the joint, which leads to pain for pitchers.

Mild cases don’t require immediate attention, but for MLB pitchers, the issue can be more troublesome and require surgery.

In Diaz’s case, he is expected to come back after the All-Star Break.

In the meantime, the Dodgers have been using a closer by committee approach.

Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott have each racked up two saves thus far this season.

The team has, however, blown five saves this season, only one of which was with Diaz on the mound.

Blake Treinen has blown two saves, and Will Klein and Jack Dreyer have blown one apiece, per Screwball.