The Detroit Tigers are gearing up for a pivotal series against the Los Angeles Angels, aiming to build on their recent victory and stave off early-season disappointment. With the Fourth of July as a mental checkpoint, the Tigers know they need to string together some wins to keep their 2026 aspirations alive.
The Tigers’ offense has struggled to find its rhythm, and the pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries, causing a dip in performance. The starting rotation, once touted as one of the American League’s finest, is now eagerly awaiting the return of key players to bolster their ranks.
As the Angels series looms, the Tigers received both promising and concerning updates on two of their starting pitchers, Tarik Skubal and Justin Verlander. The anticipation surrounding Skubal’s return is palpable.
His agent, Scott Boras, claims Skubal is ahead of schedule in his recovery, maintaining full strength. However, agents are known to paint an optimistic picture, especially for a player of Skubal’s caliber.
In preparation for the series, Skubal took part in a live bullpen session, facing teammates like Zack Short, Gage Workman, and Jahmai Jones. Over 2.2 innings and 39 pitches, Skubal notched three strikeouts and induced five swings and misses, though he did concede a home run to Jones.
While manager A.J. Hinch hasn’t pinned down an exact return date for Skubal, his comeback could be crucial for the Tigers’ mid-season push.
If he can make a significant impact, Detroit might hold onto him past the trade deadline, though that remains a hopeful scenario.
On the other hand, the news about Justin Verlander is less rosy. The Tigers’ back-to-back AL Cy Young winner is facing challenges reminiscent of the struggles that led to his 2017 trade from Detroit. In his latest live bullpen session, Verlander surrendered three home runs over four innings, a performance that falls short of what the team needs from its ace.
Manager A.J. Hinch, speaking to 97.1 The Ticket, mentioned that Verlander is set for another bullpen session before the team hits the road.
“And then he’s going to go on a rehab assignment somewhere as well,” Hinch explained. “He’s gotta go get competitive and see if (with) the adrenaline, he can keep his endurance.”
Verlander is eligible to come off the 60-day IL on May 31, offering the Tigers a decision point on whether the veteran has enough left in the tank to help dig the team out of its current rut. The franchise is hopeful that Verlander’s legendary competitive spirit will spark a resurgence, propelling the Tigers back into contention.