While the Detroit Tigers have not set a specific timeline for Tarik Skubal’s return after undergoing elbow surgery last week to remove loose bodies, his agent Scott Boras believes the left-hander will be back ahead of schedule.
The typical recovery period for this type of procedure ranges from two to three months. However, Boras revealed on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” podcast that the surgery, performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, utilized a NanoScope, making it far less invasive.
“This is really almost like receiving a shot,” Boras said, emphasizing that the two-time Cy Young winner will not need to rebuild his arm strength from scratch. “We think that’s going to be a much shorter period (of rehabilitation). And he’ll be able to return to performance at just a much, much earlier stage.”
Skubal, 29, is the reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner. Through seven starts this season, he posted a 2.70 ERA and a 3-2 record. This is his final season before entering free agency in the upcoming offseason.
In his seven-year career with the Tigers (since 2020), Skubal holds a 57-39 record, a 3.06 ERA, and a 1.021 WHIP across 144 appearances (141 starts). He has struck out 934 batters while walking 178.
His injury adds to a growing list of pitching concerns for Detroit, which has reached the postseason in each of the last two years after a nine-year drought. The Tigers currently sit tied for third in the American League Central at 19-22, 1.5 games out of first place.
The Tigers’ pitching staff has been hit hard. Justin Verlander was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list due to right hip inflammation. Reese Olson is out for the season after shoulder surgery, while Casey Mize could return later this month after a stint on the 15-day IL with a right adductor strain.
