Tarik Skubal surgery complete, but no timeline for return to Tigers

"Everyone is going to want to talk about a timeline," Hinch said. "Everyone is racing to a lot of people that are throwing out timelines. The reality is, the most important step for him is the one that's right in front of him."

The 29-year-old will begin his rehabilitation in Lakeland, Florida, home of the Tigers' spring training complex. Everyone will know more about the plan for his return-to-play schedule once he throws for the first time.

When will that be?

"He will not resume throwing in the next few days," Hinch said. "I don't know when that day is going to be, but that next step of rehab is the one that we're going to focus on – not some random date in the future that simply would be a guess at this point."

There is no other structural damage in Skubal's left elbow.

"That sets him on the road to rehab, which is next," Hinch said. "I don't know what that means."

Skubal is set to become a free agent in November 2026.

This story will be updated.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal surgery done; no return timeline yet