Agent Scott Boras suggests Tarik Skubal may return before June following minimally invasive elbow procedure
While the club has not officially released a timeline, the agent claims the procedure could shorten the typical two-to-three month recovery window.
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal underwent surgery last week to remove loose bodies from his elbow, a procedure performed by Dr Neal ElAttrache using a NanaScope. Although the Tigers organisation has not officially released a return timeline for the pitcher, his agent Scott Boras has suggested the recovery period may be significantly shorter than standard protocols.
Boras described the use of the NanaScope, which he referred to as a "Skubal scope," as making the operation far less invasive than typical surgeries. He characterised the experience for the player as being "almost like receiving a shot." Based on this minimally invasive approach, Boras indicated that Skubal could potentially return to the mound before the end of June, a timeline that contrasts with the usual two-to-three month rehabilitation required for such procedures.
The speculation regarding an early return comes as the Tigers sit in third place in the AL Central with a 19-22 record. The team is currently tied for third with the Royals and sits just 1.5 games behind the first-place Guardians. Notably, no team in the division currently holds a winning record, placing the Tigers in a competitive but challenging position within the league.
Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner from 2024 and 2025, has recorded a 3-2 win-loss split with a 2.70 ERA in seven starts this season. His statistics include a 0.95 WHIP and 45 strikeouts across 43 ⅓ innings pitched. He has also managed six walks during this span, maintaining his status as a high-value asset ahead of the upcoming free-agent market.
The timing of Boras' comments aligns with the broader context of the free-agent landscape, which concludes after the season. Skubal is viewed as the standout prospect in a 2027 class of free agents that Boras has described as mediocre overall. While the agent's assessment offers optimism for the team's prospects, the Tigers organisation has yet to confirm if the medical prognosis supports the optimistic timeline suggested by the representative.
Ultimately, the extent to which the NanaScope technology specifically alters recovery times compared to other minimally invasive techniques remains a variable in the equation. While Boras asserts that the procedure will allow for a much earlier return to performance, the final decision on Skubal's availability will rest with the club and the medical team overseeing his rehabilitation.
