Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal may return from elbow surgery faster than expected, according to his agent. Skubal underwent a new surgical procedure that could significantly reduce his recovery time.
Key points
Tarik Skubal underwent surgery to remove a bone chip in his elbow
Recovery time for similar surgeries ranges from 2-6 months
Skubal's agent believes he can return faster than expected
Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the surgery with a new technique
Mentioned in this story
Detroit TigersScott BorasDr. Neal ElAttrache
Tarik Skubal
Could Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal be back from injury much faster than anticipated? His agent thinks so.
Skubal recently underwent surgery to remove a bone chip in his left elbow, and though the Tigers have not provided a timetable for his return, the recovery time has historically ranged from 2-6 months, depending on the severity of the injury. But Skubal's agent Scott Boras thinks Skubal can come back much faster than that.
Boras appeared on an episode of ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" podcast published on Monday, May 11, telling host Buster Olney that Skubal underwent a new surgical procedure that could significantly reduce his recovery time. The procedure, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, differs significantly from a standard arthroscopic procedure, with Boras explaining how Dr. ElAttrache used a "needle-sized" device that allowed him to perform the surgery with greater precision than he could have before.
Some members of the Detroit Tigers including (middle) Spencer Torkelson, Jake Rogers and Riley Greene watch their rookie teammate Kevin McGonigle answer questions during his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
Detroit Tigers player Kevin McGonigle and Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations shake hands at his press conference at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026.
McGonigle, a 21-year-old rookie infielder, agreed on Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
Q&A
What type of surgery did Tarik Skubal undergo?
Tarik Skubal underwent surgery to remove a bone chip from his left elbow.
How long is Tarik Skubal's recovery time expected to be?
Historically, recovery time for similar surgeries has ranged from 2 to 6 months, but his agent believes he can return much faster.
Who performed Tarik Skubal's surgery?
Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the surgery using a new technique that allows for greater precision.
What did Scott Boras say about Skubal's recovery?
Scott Boras, Skubal's agent, indicated that the new surgical procedure could significantly reduce the expected recovery time.
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Detroit Tigers player Kevin McGonigle is all smiles during his press conference at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 as he listens to Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations.
McGonigle, a 21-year-old rookie infielder, agreed on Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
Detroit Tigers player Kevin McGonigle is all smiles during his press conference at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 as he listens to Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations.
McGonigle, a 21-year-old rookie infielder, agreed on Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
Members of the media ask questions to Kevin McGonigle during his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
Ryan McGonigle, brother to Kevin McGonigle watches him during his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
(L to R) Tracy McGonigle hugs her son Kevin McGonigle and his father Kevin McGonigle looks on after his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
1 / 7
Kevin McGonigle talks $150 million contract with Detroit Tigers
Some members of the Detroit Tigers including (middle) Spencer Torkelson, Jake Rogers and Riley Greene watch their rookie teammate Kevin McGonigle answer questions during his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
1 / 7
Kevin McGonigle talks $150 million contract with Detroit Tigers
Some members of the Detroit Tigers including (middle) Spencer Torkelson, Jake Rogers and Riley Greene watch their rookie teammate Kevin McGonigle answer questions during his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
2 / 7
Kevin McGonigle talks $150 million contract with Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers player Kevin McGonigle and Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations shake hands at his press conference at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026.
McGonigle, a 21-year-old rookie infielder, agreed on Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
3 / 7
Kevin McGonigle talks $150 million contract with Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers player Kevin McGonigle is all smiles during his press conference at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 as he listens to Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations.
McGonigle, a 21-year-old rookie infielder, agreed on Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
4 / 7
Kevin McGonigle talks $150 million contract with Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers player Kevin McGonigle is all smiles during his press conference at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 as he listens to Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations.
McGonigle, a 21-year-old rookie infielder, agreed on Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
5 / 7
Kevin McGonigle talks $150 million contract with Detroit Tigers
Members of the media ask questions to Kevin McGonigle during his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
6 / 7
Kevin McGonigle talks $150 million contract with Detroit Tigers
Ryan McGonigle, brother to Kevin McGonigle watches him during his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
7 / 7
Kevin McGonigle talks $150 million contract with Detroit Tigers
(L to R) Tracy McGonigle hugs her son Kevin McGonigle and his father Kevin McGonigle looks on after his press conference on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026 at Comerica Park.
The Detroit Tigers and the 21-year-old rookie infielder agreed Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus.
"He can put the scope in and it has a camera at the end of it that gives him a 120-degree look at everything where he can be precise about where the bone chip was, and he could do this in a way that would not interrupt the tissue as a normal arthroscope would," Boras said.
"[Dr. ElAttrache] essentially went in and was able to see the particle, extract it, and in effect the consequence was that it was like Tarik had an injection, because the needle is so small."
The procedure, which Boras called the "Skubal Scope," could allow Skubal to ramp up more quickly than before and return in "less than half" the time originally thought – though Boras didn't provide a specific timeframe for Skubal's recovery.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) hands the ball to manager A.J. Hinch (14) for pitching change against Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) hands the ball to manager A.J. Hinch (14) for pitching change against Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
That's potentially great news for both Skubal and the Tigers, who are dealing with injuries to most of their starting staff. Skubal had a 2.70 ERA over 43⅓ innings pitched before landing on the injured list, leading all Tigers starters so far in 2026. The Tigers are 4-3 in games started by Skubal this season and 15-19 in all other games.
Skubal was originally thought to be out until at least July, though Boras' timeline hints at an earlier return. Boras also said the new procedure would positively impact pitchers across baseball, especially those who could potentially avoid more invasive arm surgeries.
"We're going to be able to use this procedure to determine shoulders, elbows, where the doctors can see precisely what the state of a tendon or a ligament or the rotator cuff is without in any way causing dramatic invasion of the shoulder or elbow," he said.
Though Boras is not a doctor, others medical professionals have shared similar optimism about Skubal's recovery. Dr. Shahryar Ahmadi, a California-based orthopedic surgeon, told the Free Press there is a good chance Skubal's recovery could be "very, very quick" as long as the elbow doesn't suffer from major signs of arthritis or stiffness.
“If there is extensive arthritis, lots of loose bodies, instability, stiffness, that makes it more complicated with a longer recovery – and less chance of going back to the previous level of playing," Ahmadi said.
Boras said Skubal's procedure was more "like a shot" than a surgery and added that he expects Skubal to return to his expected level of performance once he recovers.
"By removing [the bone chip] in a non-invasive process, [he is] obviously going to return to his normal performance levels without any encumbrance whatsoever."
