05/04/26 04:52:00
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05/04 16:50 CDT Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to have elbow surgery
to remove loose bodies
Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to have elbow surgery to remove loose
bodies
DETROIT (AP) --- Two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal
will have surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow after being scratched
from Monday's start against the Boston Red Sox.
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters that the left-hander felt
discomfort in his elbow on Sunday, less than a week after an injury scare
against the Atlanta Braves. The 29-year-old --- set to become a free agent next
offseason --- underwent tests that showed the loose bodies. The surgery hadn't
yet been scheduled.
There is no immediate timetable for his return, though similar injuries usually
require a two-to-three month recovery period. The phrase "loose bodies" often
refers to pieces of bone or cartilage that break off and float in the joint
space, though the specifics of Skubal's case are unclear.
"From my understanding, you just go take it out," Skubal told MLB.com. "I think
length of the rehab is probably just getting your spring training buildup up
again, getting your volume up. But the procedure itself I think is pretty
simple as far as what I've been explained."
Skubal pitched for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic this spring but was
careful with his workload, throwing in just one game before returning to spring
training with the Tigers. He won a record salary arbitration case in February
and is being paid $32 million this season, far exceeding the team's $19 million
offer.
Skubal has a 3-2 record with a 2.70 ERA over seven starts this season, striking
out 45 over 43 1/3 innings. The Tigers are currently tied for first place in
the AL Central with an 18-17 record.
Skubal initially felt pain in his elbow last week against the Braves but stayed
in the game. He rubbed his left arm after a 2-2 pitch to Matt Olson, drawing a
visit from the trainer and Hinch. Skubal threw one warmup pitch, decided he was
OK and struck out the side to end his night.
He allowed five hits, fanned seven and didn't walk anyone.
The two-time All-Star won the AL Cy Young award in each of the last two
seasons. He had an 18-4 record with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 2024 and
was 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts last year.
He's also been effective in the postseason with a 2-1 record, 2.04 ERA and 56
strikeouts over six starts.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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