Reporter’s ‘optimistic speculation’ about Tarik Skubal’s injury return will catch Tigers fans’ attention

Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal is working his way back from an elbow injury. While it remains to be seen exactly when he will return, Skubal is trending in the right direction. Skubal is expected to throw a simulated game/live batting practice on Monday, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Woodbery also reports that manager AJ Hinch said Skubal could throw again on June 7.

Woodbery then provided “speculation” about when Skubal could potentially return. As Woodbery made clear in his post, nothing is official and his “optimistic speculation” is nothing more than a possibility at the moment.

“(Warning: speculation) So if you’re feeling really optimistic, there are no setbacks and the Tigers keep pushing the accelerator on the timeline, you *could* envision a rehab outing on June 12, with a return to the Tigers on June 17,” Woodbery wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Skubal, who has won back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards, was performing well once again before suffering the injury. He turned in a 2.70 ERA across seven outings before landing on the IL.

The Tigers have struggled so far during the ’26 campaign. Skubal’s return will help matters, but the pitcher could emerge as a trade candidate if Detroit is unable to compete.

For now, the focus is on Skubal’s injury recovery. If no setbacks occur, he could potentially make his return to the Tigers rotation sooner rather than later.

Updates on Tarik Skubal’s injury status will continue to be monitored and provided as they are made available.

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