Reports from Jackson Jobe's first live BP is good news Tigers deserve right now

Keider Montero and Troy Melton's breakout 2026 seasons have reminded Tigers fans that the world won't end if/when Tarik Skubal leaves Detroit, but yet another key reinforcement is on his way back to the team this year.

Jackson Jobe underwent Tommy John last June, just 10 starts into his rookie season. He's dealt with his rehab rather privately, but on the odd occasion fans have heard an update on his progress, it's usually a good one, and it shouldn't be taken for granted how exceedingly rare that is. If all goes well, he should return this season.

Jobe underwent the surgery in Texas and stayed there for months afterwards, working closely with doctors on how to proceed through his rehabilitation. He was with the team in Lakeland during spring training and was throwing at 105 feet in early March. He threw his first bullpen session in late April, then a bullpen in front of Tigers coaches in early June.

He tossed his first live batting practice this week, and fans have anxiously awaited to hear about results. According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, it went about as well as anyone could've asked.

Jackson Jobe hits 100 MPH in first live batting practice as he makes steady progress back to Tigers

Jobe hadn't quite found his groove before he got hurt, with a 4.22 ERA and more worrying 1.490 WHIP over those 10 starts. However, there was a time not too long ago when Jobe was the highest-ranked pitching prospect in baseball (if you don't count Roki Sasaki, which we don't). It might take a little while for him to get back to being that guy, but his progress from Tommy John already speaks to his work ethic, and his velocity already being back into the triple digits is astounding.

He's still expected to return sometime this season, should all continue to go well. If the Tigers can actually hang in there and avoid a sale at the deadline, fitting Jobe back into the rotation might be a little complicated, but there's no question where he'll go next season.

Framber Valdez, Montero, Melton, and Jobe as a baseline for the rotation going into the offseason is nothing to sniff at. If the Tigers were to extend Casey Mize, they'd be in even better shape.

Even though TJ has already shaved a year off of Jobe's career, he only has up to go from here.

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