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The Detroit Tigers have received some significant positive news regarding superstar pitcher Tarik Skubal. The two-time Cy Young award winner just recently underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. The setback is clearly devastating for both the ace and the Tigers organization. After all, Skubal is widely regarded as the best starting pitcher in the American League, and Detroit needs him healthy to compete in the Central Division.

According to CBS Sports, a typical timeline for an injury like this is around two or three months. Nevertheless, Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, revealed on May 10 that the star could return sooner than expected. “We think that’s going to be a much shorter period (of rehabilitation),” Boras said on the Baseball Tonight podcast. “And he’ll be able to return to performance at just a much, much earlier stage… This is really almost like receiving a shot.”

While the comments from Boras are certainly welcomed in Detroit, an update on the situation from ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel is perhaps even better. Skubal is currently in his final year under contract with the Tigers. Because the two sides have not yet ironed out a long-term extension, the ace has been heavily linked with a move away from the club.

However, it seems as if the pitcher’s latest injury may have actually boosted Detroit’s chances of re-signing their superstar. McDaniel’s sources generally agreed that the odds of Skubal signing a short-term deal with opt-out clauses are “much higher” than before the elbow injury.

Detroit Tigers Likely Open to Giving Tarik Skubal Shorter Deal

GettyDetroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has won back-to-back Cy Young awards.

Ultimately, how Skubal fares after returning from the setback will be crucial to the terms of his next contract. Before the pitcher’s latest injury was announced, McDaniel polled his Major League Baseball sources on predicting Skubal’s next deal. The average of the answers given back to the reporter was 7.7 years and $357 million (slightly above $46 million per season). As McDaniel points out, this AAV could beat Max Scherzer’s annual salary record of $43.3 million with the New York Mets.

Assuming Skubal returns to his best later this summer, he could very well boost his chances of receiving a similar deal. Teams around the league, however, may be hesitant to offer him such a massive long-term contract, especially since he will be 30 by 2027. If so, the Detroit Tigers could capitalize on the situation and choose to re-sign Skubal on a shorter extension. Opt-out stipulations would give the ace some added leverage.

Detroit Recently Gave Another Key Pitcher Similar Deal

The Detroit Tigers were well aware of the Skubal situation heading into the 2026 season. Team execs shocked many around the league by adding fellow ace Framber Valdez in free agency. Interestingly enough, the former Astro agreed to join the club on a shorter-term deal with opt-out clauses. Detroit could look to make a similar move, although with more money per year, with Skubal.

Before suffering the elbow issue, Skubal posted a 2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in just over 43 innings. Without their ace, the Tigers have managed to win just one of their last six games. Detroit’s offense has been lackluster so far this season, but Skubal is clearly missed in the team’s rotation. The Tigers need their ace healthy for a postseason run.