Detroit Tigers ace and two-time defending American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will need arthroscopic surgery for loose bodies in his left elbow, manager A.J. Hinch said Monday.
Hinch told reporters that Skubal will have the procedure after the left-hander felt pain in his elbow Sunday and underwent tests, which revealed the injury.
Hinch did not give a timetable for Skubal’s return but said it would be an “easy process and procedure.” The procedure typically sidelines players for two to three months.
Skubal, who was scheduled to start against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night, said he made the decision to have the procedure “as soon as possible so that way I can be back as soon as possible.”
“Been dealing with some stuff, but I thought it was progressing and getting better,” Skubal told reporters Monday. “Yesterday, I had something that kind of was different than what I’ve been dealing with. I had some conversations with the training staff, A.J., trying to figure out what’s going on and wasn’t very comfortable pitching today.”
Skubal last pitched in a 4-3 defeat against the Atlanta Braves last Wednesday, giving up two runs on five hits in seven innings while striking out seven. In that game, Hinch and a trainer visited the mound after Skubal rubbed his left arm after a 2-2 pitch in the seventh inning.
Skubal threw one warmup pitch, decided he was OK and struck out the side to end his night.
The Tigers have recalled right-hander Ty Madden, while left-hander Tyler Holton will serve as the opener for the second game in a row after pitching two-thirds of an inning in Sunday’s 7-1 victory against the Texas Rangers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
