Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal underwent surgery on his left elbow Thursday, which apparently came with some good news.
Skubal, 29, was scratched from his start on Monday and was placed on the injured list. The procedure was to remove bone chips, which have caused him irritation in the elbow. and initially came with a timetable of about two months, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
However, the surgery then went apparently went well enough, with only one loose body removed, that Heyman claims two months is now seen as a conservative estimate, with a four-to-six-timetable offered as possible.
The Tigers have not announced an exact timeline for Skubal’s return to the rotation.
It’s unclear where exactly Heyman is getting these numbers, as Skubal’s club, agents and surgeons could all have differing opinions on when it’s best for the southpaw to come back. It could be a good sign for those with a stake in his short-term and long-term success, but it’s important to remember this is just one report.
Tarik Skubal’s issues interrupting a dominant season… in a contract year
The surgery came after Skubal experienced an injury scare during a strong seven-inning performance against the Atlanta Braves on April 29. Following a pitch, Skubal shook out his throwing arm and called a meeting on the mound. He could be seen rubbing his left elbow.
Skubal was examined by team officials, but said he was good to remain in the game. The incident occurred during the seventh inning. Skubal struck out the side following the incident and was then removed from the game with his pitch count at 91.
After the game, he said he wasn’t sure what he experienced on the mound, per MLB.com.
“I don’t really know. Cramp is probably the wrong word,” Skubal said. “We’ve heard the word zinger, I guess, but it wasn’t really like a nervy thing. I don’t know.”
Skubal was able to get in his usual side sessions ahead of Monday’s game, calling it “a good week of work.” It appeared Skubal was still going to start as early as Monday morning, but the situation apparently changed in the hours before the game.
Skubal is in the midst of yet another dominant season. Through seven starts, he has a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings. He’s won the American League Cy Young award in each of the past two seasons and is expected to contend for the award again this season.
Skubal, considered one of the best pitchers in the game, is in the final year of his rookie deal with the Tigers, and is expected to be a free agent at the end of the season. He was widely expected to land the largest contract for a pitcher in the history of baseball, which an elbow surgery could potentially threaten.
