Overview
- Skubal recently had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow and was already throwing symptom-free bullpen sessions in late May while targeting a return in June or July.
- USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports rival executives expect an inevitable trade-market bidding war that will likely narrow to four finalists: the Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays and Padres.
- Detroit’s poor 2026 start has increased pressure on the Tigers to consider selling, with some insiders saying the club may have little choice but to explore trades before the August 3 deadline.
- Any acquiring team must absorb the roughly $32 million remaining on Skubal’s 2026 contract and be willing to surrender top prospects, with speculative packages naming players such as George Lombard Jr. and Carlos Lagrange.
- A Skubal trade would be a seismic roster move for contenders and could materially shift World Series odds, making medical clearance and prospect cost the decisive factors as August approaches.