Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters Thursday that Tarik Skubal will start Saturday’s game in Cleveland. “We’re adding the best pitcher in baseball back to our mix,” Hinch said. “It’s hard to describe what that boost will be.”
Skubal, 29, experienced discomfort in his left throwing elbow in his last start, a 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on May 29 in Atlanta. He underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in the elbow. The left-hander has been sidelined for about seven weeks.
The two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner was 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA over seven starts this season before the injury. He had struck out 55 batters in 40 innings.
The Tigers are 28-40 and tied for last place in the AL Central. However, the team has won six of its last eight games. Detroit finished 87-75 last season, good for second place in the division, and advanced to the American League Division Series.
Skubal made a rehab start Sunday for the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Tigers’ High-A affiliate, in Comstock Park, Michigan. He allowed two hits with six strikeouts over five shutout innings.
The Tigers’ rotation has posted a 3.91 ERA this season, eighth-best in MLB. Last season, Detroit starters also recorded a 3.91 ERA, which ranked 11th.
Detroit hosts the Minnesota Twins on Thursday before traveling to Cleveland for a weekend series against the Guardians. Skubal and the Tigers will meet the Guardians at 4:10 p.m. EDT Saturday.