Overview
- Tarik Skubal, who is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to remove bone chips from his left elbow, was placed on the injured list earlier this week.
- MLB insider Jon Heyman reported an initial hope of about two months for his return, with other outlets citing 2 to 3 months, which could put him back before the trade deadline if rehab stays on track.
- Manager A.J. Hinch said Skubal had tolerated elbow discomfort throughout the season and that evaluations after his April 29 start in Atlanta led doctors to recommend surgery.
- Skubal had a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts in seven starts and had been touching 98 mph, so his absence forces Detroit to cover innings with a thin staff in a tight AL Central race.
- Executives and analysts note loose bodies can sometimes point to deeper ligament issues, so his outlook and free-agent value hinge on a clean recovery without setbacks.