Tarik Skubal’s clean scan kept Detroit’s season on track, but his early exit in Miami cost the Tigers two losses that could loom large in the fight for playoff seeding and home-field advantage. For Detroit it was a scare with October looming — and for Team USA, the health of a potential 2026 WBC ace hangs in the balance.
Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch told ESPN’s Jeff Passan that he is expected to make his next scheduled start. The update eased fears of a season-altering injury, pointing to soreness rather than structural damage.
Tarik Skubal’s imaging came back clean and he plans on making his next scheduled start, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. Skubal was optimistic after leaving last night’s game with discomfort in his side, and his optimism was well-founded as Detroit tries to capture AL home field.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 13, 2025
The update was the best news Detroit could have hoped for after their ace — who looks like a shoo-in for back-to-back Cy Young Awards — motioned to the dugout with left-side discomfort on Sept. 12 at loanDepot Park.
He departed in the fourth inning of an 8–2 loss to Miami, and the bullpen was taxed the following day in a 6–4 extra-innings defeat. Detroit dropped both games — losses that sting more in the battle for playoff seeding and home-field advantage than in the AL Central.
The division lead keeps Detroit secure, but home-field is on the line. Every inning Skubal logs matters for the Tigers now — and for Team USA in the 2026 WBC.
Before the injury, Skubal spoke with me at Yankee Stadium about the possibility of pitching for Team USA in 2026 WBC. He made it clear that any commitment has to run through his agent and what’s best for his body — a reminder that his WBC status is far from guaranteed.
“I’ve had some talks with my agent and the organization about that,” Skubal said. “You’ve got to do what’s best for me. We will see what I would love to, but there’s some other stuff that impacts that for me.”
If healthy, Skubal would be a no-brainer to headline Team USA’s staff — the kind of A-list lefty the Americans desperately need.
In that same pre-injury interview, Skubal emphasized staying locked in despite the noise.
“For me it’s about executing pitches and staying present, not letting any of the outside noise or attention dictate who I am, and pitching to my strengths,” Skubal said.
His numbers remain elite: 224 strikeouts in 183.1 innings with a 2.26 ERA. He is still the overwhelming betting favorite at -5000, ahead of Garrett Crochet (+1100) and Hunter Brown (+7500). Crochet leads MLB with 228 strikeouts, while Brown owns the lowest ERA in the AL at 2.25.
Fans can follow the latest market shifts on ESPN’s Cy Young tracker.
Until proven otherwise, the award still runs through Skubal.
Detroit has lost three straight, slipping 2.5 games behind Toronto for the AL’s best record. The Yankees have won three in a row and sit just a half-game back of the Tigers, while Boston is also in striking distance. As well as the 8-game win-streaking Seattle Mariners.
One of the key components to Skubal’s arsenal is his changeup, his second most frequent pitch this season.
“A lot of stuff with our pitching coaches and catchers. There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure that I’m throwing the ball the right way and that it’s moving the right way,” Skubal said.
With the AL Central lead holding steady at 6.5 games, Detroit’s playoff berth looks safe.
“Judge has got pretty good career numbers against me so I’m sure he’s enjoyed those at-bats, but it’s always fun going against the best in the game.”
Judge is 7-for-17 (.412 average) with two home runs and two RBI against him.
“It’s playoff baseball — that’s why you play the game. When you go out there on any given day any team can win and the goal is to get back to that.”
The Tigers’ chase for the top seed could hinge on Skubal’s ability to shoulder his usual innings load.
Tigers SP Charlie Morton talked about what makes Tarik Skubal so dominant in Detriot.
🎥: @JulianGuilarte1 pic.twitter.com/vao2k81AaZ
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) September 6, 2025
“There are just certain guys when they take the mound, it’s different… every time he takes the mound, you expect him to dominate,” Morton said.
Interview with Tigers OF Kerry Carpenter on hitting at Yankeee Stadium and how his faith has carried him through his career. #RepDetroit #RepBX #LatinoSports #MLB | 🎥: @JulianGuilarte1 pic.twitter.com/wOkp6LJdi7
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) September 12, 2025
“It’s amazing to watch him pitch when he’s locked in because he’s the best pitcher in the world. Thank God we don’t have to face him every fifth day,” Carpenter said.
Tigers infielder Trey Sweeney interview in Detroit at Comerica Park:
He talked about his Postseason success and wanting more this October.
Sweeney also expanded on what it's like to play behind Tarik Skubal!
Sweeney was the Yankees 1st round pick in 2021. #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/kwTJ5xip9m
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) September 4, 2025
“Skubal has been great since I got here. Pure dominance. It is fun to play behind him and watch him work,” Sweeney said.
Skubal’s Cy Young-caliber season has given Detroit the cushion it now enjoys in the standings. The Tigers need him at the top of his game if they want to turn that margin into October momentum.
For Team USA, the picture is just as clear — if Skubal is healthy, he’s the kind of ace who could anchor the staff when the Americans defend their World Baseball Classic crown in 2026.
