Tarik Skubal's return gives the Detroit Tigers a decision to make. The two-time American League Cy Young winner will come off the injured list to start Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, manager A.J. Hinch announced Thursday, and his return could push Detroit to a six-man rotation.
Skubal returns to the team after missing over a month due to loose bodies in his left elbow, which were surgically removed following an arthroscopic NanoScope procedure performed on May 6, a new procedure that promises a quicker recovery time.
After nearly a week of rest, Skubal began a throwing program in mid-May that quickly progressed to a rehab start on June 7, during which he struck out six batters over five innings.
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The 29-year-old lefty will now be back on the mound just 38 days after surgery.
He is not the only arm on the way back. Justin Verlander and Casey Mize are also working through rehab assignments, and Detroit already carries four healthy starters in Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Keider Montero and Troy Melton. That leaves the Tigers with more starters than spots and a sixth rotation slot is the cleanest way to fit everyone in. Hinch has not committed to it, but he has not ruled it out, per Evan Woodbery of MLive Media.
"I think that makes the most sense eventually," said Hinch.
As of now, a six-man rotation for the Tigers could look like: Skubal, Flaherty, Mize, Melton, Valdez, Montero. The larger rotation benefits in the long run, as starters can go deeper into games, giving the bullpen more rest.
How the Tigers sort out their rotation with Tarik Skubal's return will shape a season that has slipped to 28-40. For now, the biggest problem is a good one to have: where to put an ace who was not supposed to be back so soon.
