AJ Hinch reveals best news possible for Tarik Skubal after Tigers injury scare

Tarik Skubal sent Detroit Tigers fans into a panic Friday when he exited his start against the Miami Marlins with left side tightness after throwing only 46 pitches. The reigning American League Cy Young award winner was set to undergo a series of tests to diagnose the issue, but he sounded optimistic after the game that it wasn't anything too serious.

As it turns out, Skubal's optimism was well-founded. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters, including Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY, that all of Skubal's tests came back negative. The team will continue to monitor his next week closely, but as of now, the southpaw is expected to make his next scheduled start.

Needless to say, this is the best possible outcome for a Detroit team whose World Series dreams rest almost entirely on Skubal's shoulders. The southpaw owns a 2.26 ERA with 0.86 WHIP and 224 strikeouts over 183 1/3 innings (29 starts) for the AL Central-leading Tigers in 2025.

Tarik Skubal injury update is best news possible for Tigers after early exit vs Marlins

In addition to being the runaway favorite so repeat as the AL Cy Young winner for the second year in a row, Skubal is an essential piece of the Tigers' plans to make another deep playoff run. He entered Friday leading the league in ERA (2.10), WHIP (0.856), strikeout rate (32.6%) and walk rate (4.1%) while ranking behind only Boston Red Sox starter Crochet in innings pitched (180) and strikeouts (222).

The Tigers hold a commanding lead in the AL Central at 84-64, but they are still playing meaningful games in terms of playoff seeding. That said, the Tigers will probably handle Skubal with kid gloves over the next couple of weeks to avoid an injury that impacts his playoff availability.

Had Skubal suffered an oblique injury, as many feared, his availability for the rest of the season (and the playoffs) would have been in serious doubt. For a Tigers team whose remaining rotation consists of Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Charlie Morton, Skubal's health is going to be critical going forward.

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