The Injury Scare
During his start against the Atlanta Braves on April 29, Tarik Skubal experienced a concerning moment in the seventh inning. After throwing a pitch, he shook his left arm, removed his glove, and rubbed his left elbow. Manager A.J. Hinch, assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades, and catcher Dillon Dingler visited the mound. Skubal described the sensation as a 'zinger' but clarified it was not a nerve issue. Despite the incident, he threw a practice pitch, remained in the game, and struck out the side to complete seven innings with seven strikeouts.
Precautionary Scratch Decision
Following the injury scare, the Tigers scratched Skubal from his Monday start against the Boston Red Sox on May 4 as a precautionary measure. Baseball insider Jon Heyman reported the decision for 'precautionary' reasons, though the team did not immediately announce the nature of the injury or reveal Skubal's replacement starter. As of Monday morning before the scratch, Skubal had indicated he planned to pitch, having completed his usual side sessions and calling it 'a good week of work.'
Skubal's Perspective
Skubal maintained that he felt healthy entering the Monday game, saying 'I'm all right' and expressing confidence in his recovery. He acknowledged experiencing next-day soreness after the April 29 incident but stated he wasn't concerned about it affecting his ability to pitch. He threw his bullpen between starts before Friday's game and reported that everything had been normal since the injury scare. Skubal was uncertain about the exact nature of what happened, stating he didn't really know what to call the sensation he experienced.
Manager's Heightened Concern
Manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged heightened awareness about player health across the entire roster, not specific to Skubal. Recent injuries to utility player Zach McKinstry, right-hander Casey Mize, shortstop Javier Báez, and right-handed reliever Will Vest had already strained the team. Hinch stated 'I like no news. That's good news,' reflecting the Tigers' cautious approach to injury management during a challenging stretch.
2026 Season Performance
Through seven starts in 2026, Skubal posted a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 43⅓ innings. The two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner was expected to contend for the award again this season. He is in the final year of his rookie contract and expected to become a free agent at season's end, potentially commanding a historic contract in November 2026. 
Answer