DETROIT — Tarik Skubal, the back-to-back reigning Cy Young Award winner for the American League, will return from the injured list Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians.Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch made the announcement Thursday, setting the stage for a consequential start that will draw attention around the league.“I don’t know if it will be a normal start or if it will be abbreviated,” Hinch said of Skubal’s return. “But just getting him back into the routine and into the fold is a tremendous boost for this team and this rotation and our organization.”Skubal will pitch in the major leagues for the first time since April 29. The left-hander had surgery May 6 to remove a loose body from his left elbow, and the initial fear before the procedure was that Skubal would miss two to three months. But Dr. Neal ElAttrache introduced the NanoNeedle Scope 2.0, a smaller arthroscope that had never been used on an MLB pitcher. Because the NanoNeedle is smaller and less invasive, Skubal needed less time to heal. He resumed throwing within days and quickly ramped up to full bullpens.
“If anything, we’re being conservative,” Skubal said this week. “Four weeks (after surgery) was four or five days ago. Technically, if we wanted to, I could have been back then. I think we’ve taken this with the right approach. Not aggressive. If anything, we’re being conservative.”Skubal pitched Sunday on a rehab assignment at High-A West Michigan, throwing five scoreless innings on 54 pitches. His fastball reached 99 mph, and Skubal threw an estimated 15 more pitches in the bullpen after leaving the game, pushing his total pitch count toward 70.Skubal is in his contract season with the Tigers, who sit 12 games below .500 after a 6-22 record in May. Detroit has won six of its past eight games, hoping to make a push back toward contention. Skubal, who has helped his team to a 45-23 record on days he pitches over the past two-plus seasons, could serve as a serious boost to their chances. But if the Tigers cannot claw back into the race, he could also be the league’s biggest prize ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.Skubal is perhaps poised for a record payday this winter regardless of how the next few weeks play out, so eyes across the league will be glued to him as he looks to prove that he’s back to 100 percent.“I’m obviously happy with modern technology, modern medicine and the ability for him to do his work step by step,” Hinch said. “A lot of people worked hard to get to this point. It’s just to this point. We still have more work to do to make sure recovery is optimal. But I’m thrilled this was on the best-case scenario side of things, getting him back so quickly.”Jun 11, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
