Tigers ace Skubal faces 2-3 month elbow surgery absence
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies, manager A.J. Hinch announced Monday. The procedure will sideline the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner for two to three months. Skubal's arm locked up during a bullpen session Sunday before his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox.
Hinch described the surgery as an easy process. Skubal's most recent outing came Wednesday in a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves, where he allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings and struck out seven. He remained in the game after rubbing his arm and receiving a mound visit from Hinch and a trainer.
The left-hander won a record $32 million in arbitration this offseason after the Tigers offered $19 million. That figure surpassed Juan Soto's 2024 arbitration award by $1 million. Skubal enters free agency after the season with no long-term extension in place.
The Tigers recalled Ty Madden from the minors and will use Tyler Holton as an opener for Monday's game. Potential free-agent suitors will monitor Skubal's recovery closely.
