Skubal has resumed playing catch, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. He is barely more than a week removed from surgery to remove a loose body from his left elbow.
The procedure was performed with a nanoneedle, which could shorten the timetable for Skubal's return to action from two-plus months to six weeks if all goes well.
A clearer timeline for the two-time Cy Young winner should be available in the coming weeks as he ramps up his throwing progression.
Other Tigers Updates
Brenan Hanifee: Getting Another Opener Assignment
Hanifee opened ahead of primary pitcher Ty Madden two appearances ago, and it will be a similar setup for Friday's contest. The 27-year-old reliever has yielded just one run with a 4:1 K:BB over 8.1 frames out of the Detroit bullpen this season.
Ty Madden: Following Opener Again
Madden was initially listed as a traditional starting pitcher, but the Tigers have decided to use him in a bulk-relief role again after it worked well the last two times. The righty has permitted three runs with a 12:2 K:BB over 11 innings in his first two appearances for Detroit this season.
Dillon Dingler: Remains Productive in Loss
Dingler went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 9-4 loss to the Mets. Dingler extended his hitting streak to four games, and he's batting .313 with two home runs during the stretch.
Overall, the Detroit catcher is now up to eight long balls for the season, which puts him on pace to fly past last year's career-high total of 13 homers in 126 regular-season games.
Gage Workman: Clubs Home Run Thursday
Workman went 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run home run in Thursday's 9-4 loss to the Mets. Making the start at second base, Workman went deep in the top of the first inning against Nolan McLean.