Bullpen Session Success
Prior to Monday's loss at Comerica Park (CLE 8, DET 2), ace lefty and reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal threw a bullpen session, his second since having surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow on May 6.
"Coming off a bullpen session like that, no symptoms at all of what I was experiencing prior," Skubal said via MLB.com. "And that wouldn't be the case two weeks ago, when I threw my last bullpen before having the surgery."
Recovery Timeline
The usual recovery period for surgery to remove a loose body is 2-3 months, though Skubal underwent a new, less invasive procedure—the "NanoNeedle"—that will chop weeks off the recovery time.
For comparison, New York Yankees lefty Carlos Rodón had loose bodies removed from his elbow in October. He didn't make his season debut until May 10.
There is no set date for his return to Detroit's rotation just yet. Skubal still has boxes to check with his rehab, which likely includes pitching in minor-league rehab games.
Team Situation
Skubal made his last start on April 29 and the Tigers are 5-12 since. They've lost 11 of their last 13 games while being outscored 69-32.
The Tigers have scored more than three runs only three times in those last 13 games. They are 23rd in home runs, the bullpen has been leaky, and they have 12 other players on the injured list.
Among the injured are Kerry Carpenter, Reese Olson, Gleyber Torres, and Justin Verlander.
Despite a 20-28 record and a -19 run differential, Detroit sits only 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot. It's a two-game deficit in the loss column with 114 games to play.
There are 65 games between now and the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Trade Outlook
Skubal will be a free agent after the season, and the Tigers will have to crash hard in these next 65 games to entertain trading him at the deadline.
If they're still 2.5 games back on Aug. 3, they likely keep him, add to the roster around him, and make a push for a postseason spot.
Assuming he returns from surgery without a hitch, Skibial would instantly become the best available pitcher—and the best available player overall—at the trade deadline.
Every contender—including the Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres—would make a run at him. The bidding war would be fierce.