Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal left in the fourth inning of the team’s matchup with the Miami Marlins on Friday due to an apparent injury.
Skubal briefly held his left side after throwing a changeup that was popped up in the air by Eric Wagaman.
Skubal allowed four hits and four earned runs while recording two strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work prior to leaving the game.
The Tigers later announced that he experienced tightness in his left side and was undergoing further evaluation.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Skubal will undergo imaging on the injury on Saturday.
Detroit will be hoping that Skubal’s injury isn’t anything serious, as the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is in the midst of another dominant season on the mound.
The left-hander owned a 13-4 record in 28 starts entering Friday’s contest, posting a 2.10 ERA and 0.856 WHIP. Skubal compiled 11.1 strikeouts compared to just 1.4 walks per nine innings, with the latter representing the lowest average in the majors.
The two-time All-Star has been particularly stellar as of late, allowing only one earned run across 27.2 innings pitched over his past four starts.
Skubal has been hampered by injuries in the past despite starting in 31 games last season, making a mere 15 appearances in 2023 after undergoing flexor tendon surgery the prior year.
While the severity of his latest health issue is unknown, it’s understandable if the Tigers take a cautious approach with him for the rest of his 2025 campaign. Detroit currently sits at 84-63, holding a comfortable 8.5-game lead atop the AL Central standings.
The Tigers will want to ensure that he’s potentially available for the start of the postseason, with Wild Card action for both leagues beginning on Sept. 30.
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