Overview
- MLB insider Jon Heyman said Friday that Skubal was already playing catch about a week after an arthroscopic procedure to remove a loose body from his elbow.
- The report indicated he might beat the early two to three month estimates, with a return in roughly six weeks still possible if progress holds.
- The Tigers have not announced a target date for his comeback and will keep evaluating his throwing program.
- Detroit has slipped to 19-25, so an earlier return could stabilize a taxed rotation and ease pressure to consider selling at the trade deadline.
- Before the injury, Skubal posted a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts in seven starts, and his recovery now looms large with free agency coming after the 2026 season.