With six starting pitchers on IL, what will Tigers' decimated MLB rotation look like?

The Detroit Tigers are getting into trouble.

Thirty-six games into the MLB regular season and their starting rotation continues to be decimated by injuries.

Six potential starters remain listed on the Injured List, including ace Tarik Skubal. The back-to-back AL Cy Young award recipient landed on the 15-day IL on Monday and is scheduled to have surgery to remove "loose bodies" from his throwing elbow. He endured an injury scare during his start April 29, but remained in the game.

Skubal, whose timeline to return remains uncertain, will have plenty of company during rehabilitation. Also sidelined are Justin Verlander (hip), Casey Mize (abductor strain), Reese Olson (shoulder), Troy Melton (elbow) and Jackson Jobe (Tommy John surgery).

Who's left?

Injury-riddled Tigers' organizational depth being tested

Coming off Monday's 5-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park, the Tigers (18-18) remained in a first-place tie with the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. The advantage could become tenuous with the Tigers' depleted staff.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has a short-term plan to get through the next few days. 

Then?

We'll see.

Framber Valdez (2-1), who could prove to be a shrewd off-season free-agent signing, provides the staff with ace-like potential and remains scheduled to start Tuesday. 

Jack Flaherty (0-2), who is struggling with his control, is slated to get the nod in the series finale Wednesday.

Following an off day Thursday, the Tigers travel to face the Kansas City Royals and Keider Montero (2-2) remains scheduled to get the call. Montero opened the season at Triple-A Toledo and was the first pitcher summoned when Verlander went down after one start. 

Hinch likely will go with a "pitching chaos" setup Saturday, beginning with reliever Tyler Holton and mix-matching relievers the rest of the way.

On Sunday, a starter had yet to be named as of Tuesday morning, but rookie Ty Madden, who started one game in 2025, could fill that void. Madden, who was recalled from Toledo Monday, pitched five shutout innings and could be in line to fill that void.

Before the injured pitchers start returning, the Tigers need a No. 5 starter. One possible minor-league replacement, Sawyer Gipson-Long, was scratched from his International League start last Friday with an undisclosed injury. 

The early-season troubles continue to mount for the Tigers.