Skubal set to rejoin Tigers rotation ahead of schedule following elbow surgery

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced on Thursday that reigning back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will return to the starting rotation to face the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. The ace left-hander rejoins the major league roster less than six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery, a timeline that significantly precedes the typical two-to-three-month recovery period for such procedures.

The Tigers officially announced Skubal’s need for surgery in early May, with the procedure taking place nearly five weeks prior to the latest update. Hinch described the pitcher’s availability as a substantial boost to the franchise, stating, "We're adding the best pitcher in baseball back to our mix. It's hard to describe what that boost will be." The rapid return is attributed to the use of a less invasive technique known as the NanoNeedle scope, which Skubal reportedly underwent in early May.

Skubal’s rehabilitation progressed through a single start for Detroit’s High-A affiliate on Sunday, where he pitched five shutout innings and allowed only two hits. Following the appearance, the 29-year-old noted that his velocity and execution were strong, adding that he felt he threw a high volume of strikes and was "in the zone a lot today."

Prior to his placement on the injured list, Skubal held a 3-2 record with a 2.70 earned run average across seven starts. He allowed 35 hits and 13 earned runs over 43⅓ innings before his last appearance on April 29. The Tigers are currently navigating trade deadline considerations, and Skubal’s accelerated recovery provides a significant strategic advantage to the organisation.

In addition to Skubal’s return, right-hander Casey Mize may also rejoin the rotation on Sunday, contingent upon the completion of a bullpen session later on Thursday. The Associated Press contributed to the reporting on this development.