Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal won’t take the mound as expected Monday. Skubal was scratched from his start and will go on the injured list due to loose bodies in his throwing elbow. Skubal will need surgery to repair the issue and is expected to miss time, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters.
Skubal, 29, was set to square off against Boston Red Sox young lefty Payton Tolle during Monday’s contest. With Skubal sidelined, lefty Tyler Holton will start for the Tigers on Monday.
The Tigers said Monday there was no timetable for Skubal’s return.
The news comes a few days after Skubal experienced an injury scare during a strong seven-inning performance against the Atlanta Braves on April 29. Following a pitch, Skubal shook out his throwing arm and called a meeting on the mound. He could be seen rubbing his left elbow.
Skubal was examined by team officials, but said he was good to remain in the game. The incident occurred during the seventh inning. Skubal struck out the side following the incident and was then removed from the game with his pitch count at 91.
After the game, he said he wasn’t sure what he experienced on the mound, per MLB.com.
“I don’t really know. Cramp is probably the wrong word,” Skubal said. “We’ve heard the word zinger, I guess, but it wasn’t really like a nervy thing. I don’t know.”
Skubal was able to get in his usual side sessions ahead of Monday’s game, calling it “a good week of work.” It appeared Skubal was still going to start as early as Monday morning, but the situation apparently changed in the hours before the game.
Skubal is in the midst of yet another dominant season. Through seven starts, he has a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings. He’s won the American League Cy Young award in each of the past two seasons and is expected to contend for the award again this season.
Skubal, considered one of the best pitchers in the game, is in the final year of his rookie deal with the Tigers, and is expected to be a free agent at the end of the season.
