Detroit Tigers Wiretap

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is drawing widespread interest ahead of the August 3 trade deadline as the two-time Cy Young Award winner recovers from elbow surgery and his club sinks further out of playoff contention.

Skubal, who underwent an innovative procedure to remove a loose body from his left elbow, is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday. If his recovery continues at its current pace, he could return within weeks. The Tigers are expected to delay any trade decision as long as possible to allow Skubal to demonstrate full health and maximize his value.

Detroit has gone 4-21 since Skubal's injury was announced, leaving the club 16 games below .500 and 11.5 games out in the AL Central. No team this far under .500 has reached the postseason under the current playoff format, which began in 2022. To win 85 games, the Tigers would need to go 63-39 the rest of the season.

A rival executive, speaking anonymously, described the difficulty of Detroit's position.

"Once you start your ascent, you can never stop it. You're done with your slumps," he said.

Should Detroit trade Skubal, his return would be reduced by his rental status, the remaining portion of his $32 million salary, and his ineligibility for a qualifying offer if dealt mid-season. Keeping him and losing him to free agency would yield only a compensatory draft pick for the Tigers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays all have plausible cases for pursuing Skubal.

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal completed his third bullpen session Thursday as he continues rehabilitating from elbow surgery, though manager A.J. Hinch stopped short of setting a return timetable.

Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, had a non-invasive procedure on his left elbow May 6 to remove a loose body. He threw 35 pitches Thursday using his full arsenal, simulating an inning break before continuing.

Hinch called the outing a "great step" while tempering expectations.

"There are little hurdles to clear along the way when you come back from a procedure," said Hinch. "As much as we described it as simple, it's still a procedure."

Velocity was an encouraging sign for Skubal.

"His velocity was as high as it's been since his throwing started," said Hinch. "He sat down and came back and did like a simulated second inning. That's encouraging, and it's full stuff."

Skubal will travel with Detroit for this weekend's series in Baltimore, where he will throw another bullpen session. The club's medical and coaching staff will assess his progress and determine next steps following that outing.

The right-hander enters his rehab at 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA across seven starts this season. Skubal is set to reach free agency after the season concludes.

With nearly two months of the 2026 season complete, 22 players from the preseason MLB top 100 prospect list have graduated from eligibility, reshuffling the rankings ahead of what figures to be an active trade deadline season.

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made, 19, moves to the top spot after posting 90th percentile exit velocities that rank among big league averages despite playing in Double-A. His ability to control the strike zone and his defensive profile stand out, though scouts note his swing produces insufficient lift to translate his raw power into home run totals. If that changes in the second half, a significant ranking jump could follow.

Among the most notable movers is Boston Red Sox shortstop Franklin Arias, who climbs from 36th to sixth after posting improved exit velocity and lift rates while maintaining contact. Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries jumps to second after his profile helped pry All-Star closer Mason Miller from Oakland. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Seth Hernandez rises from 49th to seventh after slider and fastball shape improvements unlocked his ceiling.

Notable graduates from the list include the previous top two prospects, Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle, along with Samuel Basallo, JJ Wetherholt, Bubba Chandler, Carson Benge, Andrew Painter, and Carson Williams, among others.

Seven players currently on active big league rosters remain eligible but could graduate within weeks.

Top-50 MLB Prospects

60FV
1. Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 3)
2. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics (Previous: 11)
3. Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 6)
4. Max Clark, CF, Detroit Tigers (Previous: 8)
5. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers (Previous: 5)
6. Franklin Arias, SS, Boston Red Sox (Previous: 36)
7. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 49)
8. Eli Willits, SS, Washington Nationals (Previous: 41)
9. Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 16)
10. George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees (Previous: 20)
11. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 23)
12. Walker Jenkins, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 9)
13. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 14)
14. A.J. Ewing, CF, New York Mets (Previous: 28)
15. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 19)
16. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Previous: 10)
17. Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 24)

55 FV
18. Josue De Paula, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 21)
19. Josuar Gonzalez, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 30)
20. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres (Previous: 110)
21. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous: 63)
22. Thomas White, LHP, Miami Marlins (Previous: 18)
23. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds (Previous: 29)
24. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 54)
25. Caleb Bonemer, 3B, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 34)
26. Luis Pena, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 26)
27. Ethan Holliday, SS, Colorado Rockies (Previous: 66)
28. Liam Doyle, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 50)
29. Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Previous: 56)
30. Theo Gillen, CF, Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 92)
31. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 33)
32. Jett Williams, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 32)
33. JoJo Parker, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 52)
34. Zyhir Hope, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 40)

50 FV
35. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 53)
36. Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets (Previous: 31)
37. Noah Schultz, LHP, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 96)
38. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 79)
39. Angel Genao, SS, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 80)
40. Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 42)
41. Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 84)
42. Emmanuel Rodriguez, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 97)
43. Josh Hammond, SS, Kansas City Royals (Previous: 132)
44. Edward Florentino, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 78)
45. Eduardo Quintero, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 37)
46. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Previous: NR)
47. Eduardo Tait, C, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 38)
48. Didier Fuentes, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 88)
49. River Ryan, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 125)
50. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 60)

Industry sources now view a shorter-term contract with opt-outs as a more likely outcome for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal following his recent elbow surgery, according to reporting from ESPN. The procedure has shifted expectations around what had projected to be one of the largest pitching contracts in MLB history.

Earlier this month, Skubal underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. The operation adds to an extensive surgical history that includes Tommy John surgery in 2016 and flexor tendon surgery in August 2022.

Before the latest procedure was announced, an industry straw poll of executives, scouts and agents projected Skubal's free agent value at an average of 7.7 years and $357 million, roughly $46 million per year. Those figures would have surpassed Max Scherzer's record average annual value of $43.3 million and Yoshinobu Yamamoto's guaranteed money mark of $325 million.

The elbow surgery has introduced fresh durability concerns that could reduce Skubal's open-market value. His agent, Scott Boras, has indicated the 29-year-old could return to the mound relatively soon this season.

Sources cautioned that predicting Skubal's performance upon return, the state of his free agent market, and the potential impact of MLB's labor situation remains difficult. The consensus view, however, is that a shorter deal structured with opt-outs now represents a more realistic path to keeping Skubal in Detroit than it did prior to this injury.

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal could return to the rotation significantly earlier than initially expected following elbow surgery, according to his agent Scott Boras. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner had a loose bone chip removed, with early optimism pointing to a return sometime in early June.

When the Tigers first announced the procedure, speculation centered on a return after the All-Star break. But Boras told ESPN's Baseball Tonight podcast that the minimally invasive nature of the surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache should shorten the rehabilitation timeline considerably.

"We think that's going to be a much shorter period of rehabilitation," Boras said. "And he'll be able to return to performance at just a much, much earlier stage."

The key factor is the surgical instrument used. Rather than a standard arthroscopic procedure, which typically carries a two-to-three month recovery, ElAttrache used a NanoScope device that Boras described as far less invasive.

"This is really almost like receiving a shot," Boras said of the instrument, which he referred to as "a Skubal scope."

Because the procedure was less disruptive, Skubal will not need to rebuild arm strength from scratch, preserving the conditioning he developed through his offseason program, spring training and seven regular-season starts.

A swift return would benefit both the injury-depleted Tigers and Skubal himself, who is eligible for free agency this fall. He posted a 2.70 ERA before elbow discomfort following his April 29 start prompted the decision to have the chip removed.

Skubal is projected to sign a free agent contract between $400 million and $500 million.

Major League Baseball suspended Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez five games and manager A.J. Hinch one game Wednesday following Tuesday's bench-clearing incident in which Valdez hit Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a 94.4 mph fastball. Both were also fined undisclosed amounts.

Valdez's ban, reduced from an initial six games, equates to one missed rotation start and begins Wednesday against Boston. Hinch, ineligible to appeal under MLB rules for managers, also sits out Wednesday's game.

"Generally when you have an event like last night where there's a disruption of play and there's a guy kicked out of the game for what is deemed throwing at somebody, that doesn't come for free," Hinch said Wednesday.

The pitch came immediately after back-to-back home runs by Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu extended Boston's lead to 10-2. Notably, the fastball was Valdez's first four-seam offering since August 3 of last season, a detail MLB likely factored into its ruling. Both benches and bullpens emptied but no physical contact occurred.

The suspension compounds an already damaged Detroit rotation. Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize and Justin Verlander all remain on the injured list with elbow, hamstring and hip injuries respectively.

The incident also carries historical context. Last season, while pitching for Houston, Valdez hit Boston's Ceddanne Rafaela with a 95.5 mph four-seam fastball on a 3-1 count while trailing 6-1. In a separate September incident, he denied intentionally hitting his own catcher, Cesar Salazar, two pitches after surrendering a grand slam to the New York Yankees.

Valdez maintained after Tuesday's ejection that the Story plunking was accidental and that "there shouldn't be a suspension in that situation." Hinch publicly declined to defend his pitcher following the game.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch publicly broke from his own pitcher Tuesday after Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story with a fastball following back-to-back Red Sox home runs, triggering a bench-clearing confrontation in a 10-3 Boston victory.

The incident occurred in the fourth inning, after Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu hit consecutive home runs to extend Boston's lead to 10-2. Valdez immediately plunked Story on the very next pitch at 94 mph. Catcher Dillon Dingler and plate umpire Adam Beck stepped between the two players as both dugouts emptied. No punches were thrown.

Valdez denied any deliberate intent, speaking through an interpreter after the game.

"It was not intentional," Valdez said. "It might look like it, but it wasn't. I was trying to throw strikes after the two consecutive home runs. I was trying to go back in the zone and that pitch came out of my hand."

Hinch offered no public support for his pitcher, however.

"We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn't feel like it," Hinch said. "It's not judging intent; I have no idea. But I know when you go out on the field and you end up sort of in those confrontations, you usually feel like you're in your right. And it didn't feel good being out there. So I understand their frustrations. I understand the moment, and it was a low moment of a frustrating night."

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy was more direct.

"Yes, I do think [it was intentional]," Tracy said. "I thought it was weak, and I thought everybody saw it. Their side, our side, I think everybody saw it. And yeah, it was weak."

Valdez was ejected by third base umpire Dan Iassogna, having surrendered 10 runs across three-plus innings. A potential suspension would further strain Detroit's rotation, currently missing Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Justin Verlander to injuries.

Tarik Skubal will have surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and has been placed on the injured list, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Monday. No return timeline has been established for the back-to-back Cy Young award winner, casting significant uncertainty over what was expected to be Skubal's final season before free agency.

The injury surfaced during Skubal's April 29 start against Atlanta. In the seventh inning, he shook his left arm, grabbed his forearm and called catcher Dillon Dingler to the mound. After a visit from Hinch and a trainer, Skubal threw a warmup pitch, remained in the game and struck out the side.

Skubal expressed confidence heading into a bullpen session days later.

"I think a lot of people here were (curious going into the bullpen session), but I don't think I was one of them," Skubal said Sunday. "I kind of felt like I would be all right coming out of it with just Day 1 soreness."

Later Sunday, however, Hinch said Skubal's elbow locked up again. Subsequent scans revealed the damage requiring surgery.

Hinch described the procedure as an straightforward cleanup of the elbow but stopped short of projecting a recovery window.

The loss of Skubal is a serious setback for a Tigers team with postseason ambitions. It also raises broader questions about his market value heading into free agency, where Skubal and agent Scott Boras had been targeting a record-breaking contract for a starting pitcher.

The Detroit Tigers have hired former MLB pitcher Kyle Hendricks as a special assistant. Hendricks is expected to focus on pitching development within the organization.

Hendricks spent 11 of his 12 professional seasons with the Chicago Cubs before finishing with the Los Angeles Angels. He posted a career 3.79 ERA and is best known for his performance during Chicago's 2016 World Series championship run, when he carried a 2.13 ERA in the regular season and started Game 7.

The hiring reconnects Hendricks with Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg, both of whom worked with him during their time in the Cubs organization.

Known throughout his career as "The Professor" for his studious approach and measured demeanor, Hendricks attended Dartmouth before being drafted in 2011. Late in his playing career, he expressed interest in eventually joining a front office or coaching staff.

Hendricks chose to step away from the game after retiring to spend time with his family. The new role with Detroit fulfills his long-stated goal of remaining involved in baseball while reuniting him with familiar colleagues.

Wednesday’s series opener will be broadcast locally on Detroit SportsNet (DSN) and Brewers.TV. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Fans can stream the game in high definition on Fubo, which offers access to regional sports networks and national MLB coverage.

The Milwaukee Brewers (13-9) visit the Detroit Tigers (12-12) this Wednesday, April 22, to continue an intriguing interleague series at Comerica Park. Milwaukee enters as one of the highest-scoring teams in the National League, despite a flurry of early-season injuries to their core stars. The Tigers, playing at .500, look to stabilize their home stand and climb the AL Central rankings behind a resurgent pitching staff.

The Brewers have found unlikely heroes in Jake Bauers and Gary Sanchez, both of whom have provided massive power numbers while Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio remain on the injured list. Detroit relies on the elite on-base skills of Kevin McGonigle and the burgeoning power of Dillon Dingler. Catch every pitch and home run live on Fubo.

The pitching duel features a veteran right-hander against a rising arm with eye-popping numbers. Detroit turns to Casey Mize (1-1, 2.78 ERA), who has demonstrated sharp command and high strikeout potential early in 2026. He faces Milwaukee's Chad Patrick (1-0, 0.95 ERA). While Patrick’s ERA is elite, analysts suggest he may be due for regression given a low strikeout rate and a high strand rate. You can witness this interleague clash streaming live on Fubo.

The defining storyline for the Brewers is their ability to "weather the storm" while missing three of their top bats. For Detroit, the focus is on Mize’s ability to silence a Milwaukee lineup that is prone to high-scoring outbursts. Fubo is your home for the complete broadcast.

Brewers vs. Tigers Betting Odds & Predictions

The Tigers enter the matchup as home favorites. Oddsmakers are banking on Casey Mize’s experience and the potential for the Brewers' "patchwork" lineup to struggle away from Milwaukee.

Prediction: Casey Mize has the edge in experience and secondary stuff. While Patrick has been a great story, the Tigers' disciplined approach should eventually get to him. Final Score: Tigers 4, Brewers 2.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features the elite power of Gary Sanchez against the precision of Casey Mize. Sanchez has already launched five home runs in limited plate appearances this season.

*Season stats.

Detroit relies on the bat of Kevin McGonigle and the run-producing ability of Dillon Dingler to anchor their offense at Comerica Park.

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Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Brewers as they aim to reclaim the NL Central lead.

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