Left-hander Tarik Skubal had a nice breakout season in 2021, tossing 149 1/3 innings that year with a 4.34 ERA. He seemed to take a step forward in 2022, getting his ERA down to 3.52 through 21 starts. Unfortunately, he required flexor tendon surgery in August, wiping out the rest of that season and likely some portion of his 2023 as well. With Spring Training just around the corner, Skubal has begun throwing from flat ground and discussed his rehab progress with Chris McCosky of The Detroit News.
“Everything has gone really well,” Skubal said. “The arm is responding well. I can’t complain about anything. I like where I’m at.” Though he seems encouraged by the progress, it seems he doesn’t want to set a specific target for his return. “I hate to put a date on it,” he said. “I’m going to be focusing on my day-to-day progress. I’m not going to set a date and then, if I’m not back by that date, be discouraged.” But if someone were to say he won’t return at all this year? “I’d call them a liar.”
The fact that Skubal is feeling good is surely encouraging, but the return from flexor tendon surgery can be tricky. Danny Duffy underwent the procedure in October of 2021 and was signed by the Dodgers with the hope of returning at some point the following season. However, a setback during his recovery eventually caused him to miss the entire campaign. Matthew Boyd had the same surgery in September of 2021 and returned to the mound just shy of a year later.
Boyd signed with the Tigers this offseason and is now Skubal’s teammate. “It’s a long process and it’s not linear,” Boyd said of his experience. “That was my first time being on the IL like that, my first time having that experience. The rehab process has its ups and downs, and that was unique. It takes patience, and that produces perseverance, right? And that is staying strong.”
For his part, Skubal seems to acknowledge that he has to keep a level head and can’t start ramping up too quickly. “Yeah, that’s been my problem for the last six months,” Skubal said. “Even before the surgery, that was my problem. But, these guys do a good job. I think I am progressing, and that is what I’m chasing — progress. If I can just get a little better each day and keep progressing, that’s going to put me back on the field at the right time.”
The Tigers rotation seems to be in wait-and-see mode for 2023, since there are question marks around so many of their long-term pieces. Casey Mize had Tommy John surgery in June of last year and will miss most or perhaps all of 2023. Spencer Turnbull will be back in action this year but missed all of 2022 due to his own Tommy John procedure. Matt Manning only made 12 starts last year due to shoulder inflammation and then finished the year on the injured list due to a forearm strain, though he was reported as healthy back in November. Eduardo Rodriguez signed a five-year deal with the Tigers but the first season saw him miss time both due to injury and personal issues, making just 17 starts. He’ll look to get back on track in 2023 but can opt out of the remainder of his deal after the season.
With all of that uncertainty, the club signed Boyd and Michael Lorenzen to one-year deals. They figure to be in the Opening Day rotation next to Manning, Rodriguez and Turnbull, with other options on the 40-man such as Joey Wentz and Beau Brieske. If the club is out of contention this summer, Boyd and Lorenzen could be trade chips if they are pitching well, since they will be impending free agents. Whenever Skubal is healthy and back on track, he’ll jump into that mix. He’s on pace to qualify for arbitration after the upcoming season and reach free agency after the 2026 campaign.
Sucks to be a Tigers fan hahah
Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones there Rangers fan lol
Tell us what it’s like to have 2 more wins than the Tigers.
You laugh at injuries? You also might not want to laugh so hard. The Rangers $190 mill. payroll might not even field a team good enough to get past the Astros…or the Mariners…or the Angels. Past the A’s. Take that to the bank.
It’s a shame the Tigers didn’t address the worst offense in the league.
Did the Rangers finish over .500vafter spending all that cash? Hmmmm
You may be right, but at least I will hopefully never know if it indeed “sucks to be a Tigers fan”. Otherwise, I would have to shift my allegiance to another team to have a comparison; but that day will – as I said – hopefully never come.
Gruß,
BSHH
The Tigers may still have a decent rotation, after all the re-hab is done…..
It may sound preposterous, but I even expect them to have a good rotation: Turnbull and Skubal were good when they got injured, Manning has perhaps the highest potential, I haven’t written off Mize yet, Wentz was solid last year, I like the depth that Brieske and Faedo can provide, but even more so how good Flores, Olson and Madden performed last year in the minors. 2024 must be fun pitching-wise!
Gruß,
BSHH
Mid season is probably realistic assuming no setbacks. Boyd had one, and so did Duffy during their rehabs. I expect the Tigers will take the slow route on Skubal and not push him. Still, given he is much younger than Duffy or Boyd would hope he would be back this year even with minor setbacks.
But nice that he talked and gave us all an update.
I am glad to read he is progressing, he should help the tigers staff when he returns, and bring some respectability back to Motown.
I’m just glad there’s Tigers news.
I figure he and Mize come back full strength in 2024. Miggy and Schoop off the books.
The future looks fine but it’s baseball.
Can’t wait for next year. Skubal is awesomeand will be a top pitcher for years to come. Hopefully he gets his feet wet this year to prep for next. The pitching should be fine next year, just have to fill a few other needs based on how the offense does this year.
Going 18 deep in starters last year definitely built some depth. Wentz, Brieske, Faedo, and Garcia may all start in the minors. I just wish they would add another lefty to the bullpen. Shreve and Alexander just aren’t enough and I would hate to see Wentz moved to the pen out of necessity.
I’ve long predicted that Faedo will end up as a reliever. Not a lefty, but the pen would be the best way for him to see more MLB action.
Sigh, it just seems inevitable that Matt Manning will be the next to go under the knife. Obviously, I’d love to be wrong.
You can never have enough pitchers……
Of beer!
Or Margaritas….
Or…
Margaritas…..