Comstock Park was buzzing with excitement as Tarik Skubal made his return to the mound. Just a month after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow, the Tigers’ ace and two-time American League Cy Young winner suited up for the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps at LMCU Ballpark. The anticipation was palpable, with fans packing the stands, eager to see Skubal in action.
Donning the No. 34 navy-blue jersey, Skubal was greeted by a roaring crowd of over 10,000. The game was already a sellout before Tigers manager AJ Hinch announced Skubal’s rehab start, but his presence took the atmosphere to another level. The ballpark was a sea of Skubal jerseys, with fans lining up hours before the first pitch to catch a glimpse of their hero.
Skubal didn’t disappoint. He opened the game with a flawless 1-2-3 inning, striking out the first two batters on a mere six pitches and inducing a groundout to wrap things up.
His fastball was electric, reaching speeds of 98 mph, and he expertly mixed in breaking balls to keep hitters off balance. By the end of his outing, he had retired the first six batters on just 23 pitches, with four strikeouts to his name.
The plan was for Skubal to pitch around five innings or throw 70 pitches, whichever came first. His arrival at the ballpark was reminiscent of a prizefighter ready to reclaim his title, complete with a towel draped around his neck. He spent time with his catcher for the day, Bennett Lee, and shared a thoughtful gesture with the team by bringing along a gourmet coffee cart for players and staff.
As for when Skubal will rejoin the Tigers’ rotation, that’s still up in the air. Sunday’s start was his first for the Whitecaps since a rehab assignment in 2023, and it’s uncertain how many more he might need.
Prior to his injury, Skubal was having a strong season with a 3-2 record and a 2.70 ERA over seven starts. However, discomfort in his elbow during an April game against the Braves led to his surgery in early May.
The Tigers have struggled in Skubal’s absence, and while they showed some promise with a four-game winning streak to start June, they were still 13 games under .500 heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Mariners. If the Tigers can’t turn things around, Skubal could become a highly sought-after player as the July 3 trade deadline approaches, especially with free agency looming at the season’s end.