Tarik Skubal threw his third bullpen session Thursday since undergoing elbow surgery, taking what Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch called a “great step” in the two-time AL Cy Young winner’s recovery. The 29-year-old left-hander threw 35 pitches using his full arsenal before Detroit’s home game against Cleveland, simulating inning breaks during the session.
Skubal underwent a non-invasive procedure on his left pitching elbow on May 6 to remove a loose body, sidelining the Tigers’ ace at a critical juncture in Detroit’s season. His return timeline remains undetermined, though the progression to a third bullpen session signals he is advancing through his rehab program.
What Skubal’s Latest Bullpen Session Reveals
The Tigers’ ace demonstrated full pitch mix availability during Thursday’s session, a significant milestone for a pitcher coming off any elbow procedure. Skubal threw 35 pitches with built-in rest periods to simulate actual game conditions, suggesting the medical staff is comfortable pushing his workload. Hinch’s characterization of the session as a “great step” carries weight — the veteran manager is typically measured in his public assessments of injured players.
Breaking down the advanced metrics context: Skubal posted a 2.39 ERA with a 2.49 FIP across his 2024 Cy Young campaign, generating a 31.2% strikeout rate and limiting opponents to a .198 batting average. Those numbers established him as arguably the most dominant left-handed starter in baseball, making his absence particularly costly for a Tigers club fighting for playoff positioning. The loose body removal, while classified as non-invasive, is the type of procedure that can sometimes reveal underlying structural concerns — though there is no indication from the Tigers’ medical staff that this is the case here.
How Skubal’s Absence Impacts Detroit’s Rotation
Detroit’s pitching depth has been tested since Skubal went down, with the Tigers forced to redistribute innings among a rotation that lacked a true front-line replacement. The Tigers entered Thursday’s series with Cleveland holding a record that reflects the strain of missing their ace, though the club has remained competitive thanks to strong performances from other arms in the staff.
Skubal‘s value extends beyond traditional counting stats. His 2024 WAR of 5.7 ranked among the AL’s elite, and his ability to work deep into games — averaging over six innings per start — provided crucial relief for a bullpen that would otherwise be overworked. Without him, Detroit’s starters have logged fewer innings per outing, forcing Hinch to lean more heavily on his relief corps in high-leverage situations. The ripple effect on bullpen management is something the numbers reveal clearly: teams that lose their ace for extended stretches typically see their relievers’ usage rates spike by 15-20%, increasing injury risk down the chain.
Key Developments
- Skubal will travel with the Tigers during their weekend series in Baltimore and throw another bullpen session, indicating the rehab program is progressing on schedule
- The procedure on May 6 was specifically to remove a loose body from his left elbow, classified as non-invasive rather than structural repair
- Hinch acknowledged there are “little hurdles to clear along the way” before Skubal faces live hitters or begins a minor league rehab assignment
- Skubal simulated inning breaks during the 35-pitch session, a step beyond flat-ground throwing that suggests the Tigers are building toward game-speed readiness
What Comes Next for the Tigers’ Ace
The next phase of Skubal’s rehab will likely involve facing live batters in a controlled setting, followed by a minor league rehab assignment if all goes well. Based on typical timelines for loose body removal procedures, a return within 4-6 weeks of the May 6 surgery would place Skubal back in Detroit’s rotation by mid-to-late June — though Hinch’s cautious language suggests the club will not rush the process.
From a fantasy baseball perspective, Skubal’s return timeline makes him a prime stash candidate in deeper leagues. His track record suggests that once fully healthy, he should immediately resume front-of-rotation production. The Tigers’ remaining schedule features several pitcher-friendly ballparks that could ease his transition back to major league competition. For Detroit, getting Skubal back at even 85-90% of his Cy Young form could be the difference between a wild-card berth and an early October exit.
When did Tarik Skubal have elbow surgery?
Tarik Skubal underwent a non-invasive procedure on May 6, 2026 to remove a loose body from his left pitching elbow. The surgery was performed after the issue was detected during the regular season, and he began his rehab program shortly thereafter.
How many bullpen sessions has Skubal thrown since surgery?
Skubal has thrown three bullpen sessions since his May 6 procedure. The third session took place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, prior to Detroit’s home game against Cleveland. He is scheduled to throw a fourth session during the Tigers’ weekend series in Baltimore.
What did A.J. Hinch say about Skubal’s recovery?
Manager A.J. Hinch called Skubal’s third bullpen session a “great step” but declined to set a specific return date. Hinch noted that “there are little hurdles to clear along the way when you come back from a procedure,” indicating the Tigers are taking a cautious approach to their ace’s rehab timeline.
What were Skubal’s stats during his 2024 Cy Young season?
During his 2024 American League Cy Young Award campaign, Skubal posted a 2.39 ERA with a 2.49 FIP and a 31.2% strikeout rate. He limited opponents to a .198 batting average and accumulated 5.7 WAR, establishing himself as one of baseball’s most dominant starters before his 2026 elbow injury.