Detroit Tigers: Tarik Skubal set to make first rehab start

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal set to make first rehab start.

The Detroit Tigers pitching staff is starting to have some deja vu and flashbacks to the 2022 season, with starting pitcher injuries starting to plague things. They have had a pileup of arms heading to the Injured List (IL) lately, with some roster shuffling this week.

Including roster shuffling that allowed Reese Olson to make a dominant MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers on Friday. Amid the injury news, there has been a bit of a cherry on top for the Tigers faithful. Tarik Skubal continues progressing in the right direction, and the latest updates are even more exciting.

Skubal will start his first game of 2023 as he begins a rehab stint with the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps on Saturday. The Tigers have continued to update on Skubal's progression to this point, and he has continued to keep moving in the right direction, with his sights set on a return to the big league mound in 2023.

The 26-year-old outfielder is on the road to recovery after undergoing flexor tendon surgery last season after his breakout campaign was cut short. Skubal pitched in 21 games for the Tigers last season, with 117.2 innings pitched.

He pitched to a 3.52 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He punched out 117 while issuing just 32 walks. He was settling into the rotation and finding his groove in the big leagues before the injury ended his 2022 season.

The good news is the Tigers are seeing Skubal find his way once again. He's getting back on the mound and getting his work in to try and be back in the big leagues sooner than later. It's excellent news, and it will be an incredible sight to see him getting back on the mound.

Since Skubal is being assigned to the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps, it allows him 30 days or less to get back on track due to the league's rules about injured players returning to the big leagues. For Skubal, he will have a chance to work back while taking his time.

Skubal is slated for his first rehab start, and it will likely be brief, but after a few live at-bat sessions, its got to be exciting for him to know he gets to hitters that are not a part of the Tigers organization in a real game scenario once again.

Fans should be excited to get Skubal back on the mound once again.