DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have been hit with the injury bug to start the season, but have received some good news on the health of back-to-back AL Cy Young award-winning pitcher Tarik Skubal.
Skubal, according to MLB.com, has been playing catch this week at the Tigers’ Spring Training complex in Lakeland, Florida.
Recommended Videos
The Tigers ace went under the knife to have loose bodies removed from his pitching elbow after being scratched from his recent start against the Boston Red Sox on May 4, 2026.
Prior to the injury, Skubal was off to a dominant start for the early part of the season as he posted a 2.70 earned run average with 45 strikeouts across 43.1 innings.
During his last outing against the Atlanta Braves, Skubal could be seen shaking his left forearm as he was visibly in some discomfort before being visited by the Tigers’ trainers.
Being the tough guy that he is known to be, Skubal stayed in the game to finish the inning on April 29 at Truist Park.
In the matchup, Skubal struck out seven, while allowing two runs on five hits in over seven innings as Detroit fell to Atlanta, 4-3.
Friday’s (May 15) announcement said Skubal will increase his throwing distance from usually 60 feet, then 75, 90, 105, and 120 feet until he can begin throwing off a mound.
The Tigers have not released a timetable for Skubal’s return.
Other injuries
The Detroit Tigers provided an update on the health status of several key players on Friday, with multiple veterans progressing through rehab assignments and return-to-play programs.
Shortstop Javier Báez is continuing his recovery from a right ankle sprain and is advancing through running and hitting progressions.
The Tigers said Báez is expected to begin defensive drills this weekend.
Relief pitcher Beau Brieske is set to pitch for Triple-A Toledo on a rehab assignment Friday night as he works back from a left adductor strain.
Fellow reliever Will Vest is also scheduled for a rehab outing with Toledo while recovering from right forearm inflammation.
Outfielder Kerry Carpenter continues daily rehab work for a left AC joint sprain, while center fielder Parker Meadows remains in daily rehab after suffering a left radius fracture.
The Tigers said left-hander Bailey Horn began a throwing progression Friday following left elbow arthroscopy.
Top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe completed a bullpen session on Friday as he continues his recovery from right UCL reconstruction surgery.
Right-hander Troy Melton is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday while rehabbing right elbow inflammation.
Starter Casey Mize completed a bullpen session on Wednesday as he recovers from a right adductor strain.
Pitcher Reese Olson continues daily rehab following right shoulder labral repair surgery.
Infielder Trey Sweeney remains in daily rehab for a right shoulder strain, while second baseman Gleyber Torres is progressing through a hitting program and participating in conditioning and defensive drills as he recovers from a left oblique strain.
Veteran pitcher Justin Verlander completed a live batting practice session Friday while recovering from left hip inflammation.