Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal to Have Elbow Surgery, Out 2-3 Months

Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers' ace and two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow that will sideline him for months, manager A.J. Hinch said Monday.

Skubal is not done for the season. He faces two to three months out after the procedure to remove loose bodies from the elbow, ESPN reported. Hinch called it an "easy process and procedure," but the injury deals a blow to the Tigers' staff and Skubal personally.

Skubal's arm locked up during a bullpen session Sunday before his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night. Hinch gave no specific return timeline.

In his last outing, Skubal earned a 4-3 win over the league-leading Atlanta Braves last Wednesday. He allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings and struck out seven.

During that start, Skubal rubbed his left arm, prompting Hinch and a trainer to visit the mound. He stayed in after a warm-up toss and completed seven strong innings.

With Skubal out, the Tigers recalled Ty Madden to the majors. Tyler Holton will make the spot start Monday night as opener, forcing Hinch to improvise with the bullpen.

Skubal joins Casey Mize and Justin Verlander on the injured list as the latest Tigers starter sidelined. That leaves Framber Valdez and Jack Flaherty as the only healthy starters.

The timing hurts with free agency approaching. Skubal won a record arbitration case this offseason, securing $32 million for 2026 after the Tigers offered $19 million. The figure topped Juan Soto's $31 million from the New York Yankees in 2024.

No long-term deal exists. Skubal figures to rank among top free agents after the season unless he and the Tigers reach agreement beforehand. Teams eyeing him will track his recovery. Hinch and the Tigers need others to fill the rotation gap.