Austin Konenski
Tarik Skubal needs elbow surgery. Skubal has been scratched from his upcoming start and placed on the injured list, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced before Monday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. The back-to-back Cy Young Award winner will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow.
Skubal experienced an injury scare in the seventh inning of his last start after shaking his left arm, removing his glove, and rubbing his left elbow. Skubal stayed in the game and seemed to be in a good spot to make his next start. Now, the Tigers’ starting pitcher needs surgery.
When will Tarik Skubal return to the Detroit Tigers after surgery?
This is a brutal blow for Detroit, which has been decimated with injuries to start the 2026 MLB season. Now, Skubal, who was among the favorites to win the 2026 American League Cy Young Award, is heading to the injured list. So, when will Skubal return to the Tigers after his elbow surgery?
These procedures typically sideline pitchers for two to three months, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Therefore, Skubal would return by early July or August, giving him time before the 2026 MLB Postseason. This shouldn’t put Skubal out for the rest of the 2026 MLB season, but it will end his bid for a third Cy Young Award.
Now, Framber Valdez will become the ace of the Tigers over the summer. The Detroit pitching staff has been impacted by injuries, and signing Valdez over the winter now proves to be one of the organization’s best moves. This also has another impact on Skubal, who is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2026 MLB season.
Skubal has had elbow injuries in the past, including Tommy John surgery in 2017 and flexor tendon surgery in 2022. The 29-year-old starting pitcher is poised to earn one of the biggest pitching contracts in MLB history, and this might have a slight impact on those plans
For now, Skubal will focus on his injury recovery, and the Tigers hope to keep the ship afloat without him.
Read More: MLB Insider Shares Concerning Update on Tarik Skubal’s Future with Detroit Tigers
