Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.

Manager A.J. Hinch did not give an official return timetable, but this type of procedure typically sidelines pitchers for two to three months.

Tarik Skubal Elbow Injury

The issue surfaced in Skubal’s last start when Hinch and a trainer visited the mound after Skubal rubbed his left arm following a seventh-inning pitch. Skubal threw one warmup pitch, stayed in the game and struck out the side to end his night.

“I don’t really know. Cramp is probably the wrong word,” Skubal said. “We’ve heard the word zinger, I guess, but it wasn’t really like a nervy thing.”

Hinch later said Skubal’s arm locked up and called the upcoming surgery an “easy process and procedure.”

Pro Football Doc Medical Analysis

Pro Football Doc said elbow surgery is never good news for a pitcher, but this appears to be the best-case version of elbow surgery.

Because Skubal is expected to undergo an arthroscopic scope to remove loose bodies — with no repair or reconstruction reported — his season is not expected to be over.

The likely next step is a move to the 60-day injured list, with a return possible later in the season if his recovery and throwing progression go smoothly.

What Are Loose Bodies in the Elbow?

Loose bodies are small fragments of bone or cartilage that can move around inside the joint. For a pitcher, they can cause catching, locking, irritation or discomfort during throwing.

Arthroscopic surgery is commonly used to remove those fragments through small incisions. While the procedure is less invasive than major ligament surgery, pitchers still need time to recover, rebuild arm strength and progress through a throwing program before returning to game action.

Tigers Impact

Skubal, the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner, has a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings through seven starts.

Bottom Line

Loose-body removal is usually less concerning than major ligament surgery, but Skubal still faces a recovery measured in months. A two-to-three-month absence is realistic as he recovers and builds back through a throwing program.

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