Skubal’s rapid return reshapes Tigers’ trade deadline calculus
Manager A.J. Hinch confirms ace will start against Cleveland, but his free-agent status and the club’s 28-40 record complicate the front office’s approach to the upcoming trade window.
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced on Thursday that ace pitcher Tarik Skubal has returned to the major league roster to start against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. The two-time reigning Cy Young winner undergoes surgery to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow on May 6, marking a return of barely more than a month. His availability provides a significant boost to a franchise currently sitting at 28-40, five and a half games out of a wild-card spot with six teams ahead of them in the American League.
Skubal utilised a less invasive procedure known as NanoScope, which has accelerated his rehabilitation compared to traditional timelines. Pitchers typically face a sidelined period of two to three months following this type of surgery, often requiring a cast and restricted movement. Skubal, reported as the first pitcher to undergo the NanoScope procedure, was encouraged to regain range of motion within days and made only one minor-league rehab start prior to his return.
In that single High-A appearance, Skubal pitched five scoreless innings against Single-A hitters, allowing two hits and striking out six. He threw 54 pitches during the outing and is expected to face a pitch limit upon rejoining the Tigers. Skubal acknowledged the challenge of returning to competitive play, stating he needed to keep the game as the game rather than trying to make up for the weeks he had been absent.
The timing of Skubal’s return coincides with the August 3 trade deadline, placing the Tigers’ front office in a complex position. Skubal is a free agent after the season, with approximately $9 million remaining on his contract. If Detroit fails to climb back into postseason contention, the club is expected to entertain trade offers for their ace, potentially alongside fellow rentals Casey Mize, Gleyber Torres, and Justin Verlander.
While the Tigers have won six of their last seven games, their offensive output has struggled, averaging only 4.03 runs per game, the fifth fewest in baseball. Skubal’s absence did not severely damage the rotation, which posted a 4.09 ERA and ranked 15th in WAR since his last start on April 29. However, his return offers a stabilising force for a team hoping to avoid selling off its remaining assets before the deadline.
