How long is Tarik Skubal out? 'Loose bodies' in elbow force Tigers ace to injured list

On Monday, Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal hit the injured list and will need surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow.

After struggling in a couple of starts this season, the team is playing it safe by referring their ace to surgery. He is currently expected to miss around two to three months, according to Jeff Passan.

Here's the latest on how long Detroit's ace is expected to be out, and what it means for the Tigers' future with him on the team.

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How long is Tarik Skubal out?

After making seven starts this season, Detroit's ace will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow. According to Jeff Passan, the surgery will most likely put Skubal on the sidelines for two to three months.

Detroit ace Tarik Skubal will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow. Such procedures typically sideline players for 2-3 months. Skubal should return before season's end, but a tough blow for the impending free agent and two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner.

This comes as a massive blow to a Detroit team that is currently 18-17 on the season. The team signed pitcher Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million contract hours after Skubal's arbitration hearing this winter. He will need to step up big for the team to fill in during the ace's absence.

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What are 'loose bodies' in an elbow?

Loose bodies in one's elbow are small pieces of bone or cartilage that have broken off and are lying or floating free within the joint, according to the University of Colorado School of Medicine. This can cause difficulty bending or rotating the joint.

Normally, loose bodies in the elbow don’t cause much discomfort. If they do, surgery is required. The Tigers immediately stated that Skubal would be undergoing surgery, indicating the injury is not minor.

Los Angeles Dodgers star closer Edwin Díaz recently went on the injured list with the same injury. Díaz underwent surgery.

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Does Tarik Skubal need Tommy John surgery?

Despite recently suffering an elbow injury that will sideline him for a significant period, Skubal will not need Tommy John surgery.

The star will need surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow, but his UCL will not need to be reattached.

Loose bodies in elbow return timeline

To combat the loose bodies in his elbow, Skubal will undergo elbow surgery. The average patient with loose bodies in their elbow would likely need two to three weeks in order to resume light activity, according to Kerlan-Jobe.

However, as a professional athlete, Skubal will need more time to make a full recovery before pitching in MLB. A full return to sports or heavy lifting may take six to eight weeks.

According to Jeff Passan, Detroit's ace will likely need around two to three months in order to make a full recovery.

Tarik Skubal season stats

After his second-straight Cy Young win in 2025, Skubal has made seven starts this season for the Tigers. Here is how the ace threw across those seven appearances on the mound.

Tarik Skubal contract details

After winning an arbitration hearing, Skubal signed a one-year, $32 million contract with the Tigers. He was initially linked to potential trade offers during the offseason but shut those down once he inked the deal.

After the 2026 season, Skubal will be eligible for free agency if Detroit does not trade him before the season’s conclusion. With his latest injury, it may be harder for the Tigers to move him, depending on its severity and whether Skubal can return to his previous form.

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