Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Skubal Returns Early, Starts Tigers vs. Guardians

6/11/2026

31 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Left-hander Tarik Skubal will start for Detroit on Saturday, June 13, at Progressive Field against Cleveland.
He returns after missing his April 29 start due to NanoScope elbow surgery on May 6, which was expected to sideline him for 2–3 months but brought him back 38 days later.
Detroit, 28-40 and 5½ games out of a wild-card spot, views his return as a boost while trade talks continue before the Aug. 3 deadline.

History

Historical Context

In 2005, Chicago White Sox right-hander Mark Buehrle returned just 45 days after Tommy John surgery and posted a 2.45 ERA, helping Chicago clinch the AL Central with a franchise-record .678 winning percentage. The same rapid-recovery pattern reappeared in 2024 when Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal came back 38 days after NanoScope elbow surgery on June 13, bolstering Detroit’s wild-card chase.

1 of 2

Story summary

Left-hander Tarik Skubal will start for Detroit on Saturday, June 13, at Progressive Field against Cleveland.
He returns after missing his April 29 start due to NanoScope elbow surgery on May 6, which was expected to sideline him for 2–3 months but brought him back 38 days later.
Detroit, 28-40 and 5½ games out of a wild-card spot, views his return as a boost while trade talks continue before the Aug. 3 deadline.

1 / 2