Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to undergo elbow surgery, out indefinitely

TL;DR

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will undergo elbow surgery and is out indefinitely after being scratched from a start against the Boston Red Sox. The surgery aims to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.

Key points

Tarik Skubal will have elbow surgery.
He is out indefinitely due to the surgery.
Skubal was scratched from a start against the Boston Red Sox.
Loose bodies were found in his left elbow.
Tyler Holton will replace him as the starting pitcher.

Tarik SkubalDetroit TigersBoston Red Sox

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal was scratched from a scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox on Monday in Detroit and will have arm surgery. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI

May 4 (UPI) -- Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and will be out indefinitely, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters Monday in Detroit.

The left-handed, two-time Cy Young Award winner was to pitch against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night at Comerica Park. Hinch said Skubal felt discomfort in the elbow Sunday and underwent tests, which revealed the loose bodies.

Tyler Holton will start in place of Skubal against the Red Sox..

Skubal previously experienced discomfort in the arm during a 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday in Atlanta. He shook and held the arm in the seventh inning, but remained in the game. Skubal allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings.

The two-time All-Star was 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA over his first seven starts this season. Skubal led the American League with ERAs of 2.39 and 2.21 in 2024 and 2025, respectively.