Tarik Skubal to undergo elbow surgery, sidelining Tigers ace for months ahead of free agency

Tarik Skubal, nan Detroit Tigers’ ace and two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner, is group to acquisition arthroscopic room connected his near elbow that will support him sidelined for months, head A.J. Hinch said connected Monday.

Skubal isn’t done for nan season, but he is expected to beryllium retired 2 to 3 months pursuing nan room to region loose bodies successful his near elbow, ESPN reported.

Hinch called it an "easy process and procedure" while delivering nan news, but it’s surely a rustle to nan Tigers’ unit and Skubal personally that he is sidelined for months.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts during nan MLB crippled betwixt nan Detroit Tigers and nan Atlanta Braves connected April 29, 2026, astatine Truist Park successful Atlanta, Ga. (Rich Von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

Skubal’s limb locked up during a bullpen convention connected Sunday up of his scheduled commencement against nan Boston Red Sox connected Monday night. Now, he will acquisition nan surgery, pinch Hinch providing nary circumstantial timeline for his return.

Skubal’s past commencement came successful a 4-3 triumph complete nan league-leading Atlanta Braves this past Wednesday, wherever he allowed 2 runs connected 5 hits crossed 7 innings of work. He struck retired 7 Braves hitters during his outing.

TIGERS ACE TARIK SKUBAL WINS RECORD-BREAKING $32M IN ARBITRATION: REPORTS

However, successful that game, Skubal was spotted rubbing his near arm, starring to Hinch and a Tigers trainer going to nan mound to cheque connected nan pitcher. Skubal, though, remained successful nan crippled aft tossing a warm-up pitch, and he went connected to transportation 7 beardown innings.

As a consequence of Skubal being out, nan Tigers recalled Ty Madden to nan large leagues. Tyler Holton will besides beryllium making nan spot commencement connected Monday night, serving arsenic nan Tigers’ opener earlier Hinch needs to get imaginative pinch his bullpen.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts aft giving up a deed against nan Minnesota Twins successful nan 4th inning astatine Target Field successful Minneapolis, Minn., connected Aug. 14, 2025. (Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)

Skubal is nan latest Tigers starter to beryllium placed connected nan injured list, joining Casey Mize and Justin Verlander. That leaves Framber Valdez and Jack Flaherty arsenic nan only patient starters astatine nan moment.

For Skubal, nan timing isn't great, particularly pinch impending free agency looming.

Skubal won a record-breaking arbitration lawsuit this offseason, wherever nan Tigers were told to salary nan left-handed ace $32 cardinal for nan 2026 run aft they projected a $19 cardinal salary. The triumph hit Juan Soto’s arbitration salary by nan New York Yankees successful 2024 by $1 million.

Tarik Skubal of nan Detroit Tigers looks connected betwixt pitches during nan first inning against nan Atlanta Braves astatine Truist Park successful Atlanta, Georgia, connected April 29, 2026. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

But, pinch nary semipermanent woody successful spot for Skubal, nan electrical starter is group to beryllium 1 of nan apical free agents aft nan season, granted he and nan Tigers don’t fig thing retired earlier then. It seems improbable that will hap astatine this point.

All teams willing successful Skubal will beryllium watching his betterment and eventual return closely. Until then, Hinch and nan Tigers will request others to measurement up successful nan meantime for nan starting rotation.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.