By Larry Arreguin |LPL News Wire| June 7, 2026

COMSTOCK PARK, MI (June 7, 2026) — Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal looked every bit like the pitcher fans have been waiting to see return to the mound Sunday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark.

Making his first rehabilitation appearance since undergoing elbow surgery in early May, the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner dominated the Dayton Dragons, striking out six batters over five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits in the West Michigan Whitecaps’ victory. Skubal threw 54 pitches, including 44 strikes, and touched 99 mph with his fastball during the outing.  

A sellout crowd packed the ballpark days after the Whitecaps announced Skubal’s assignment, turning a Midwest League game into one of the hottest tickets in West Michigan.  

While pleased with the results, Skubal was even more encouraged by how his arm felt following the appearance.

“I still believe in this team. I still believe it’s a World Series-caliber team,” Skubal said when discussing the Detroit Tigers. “We’re getting healthy at the right time and we’re going to make a good run.”

The left-hander admitted his recovery has progressed much faster than originally expected.

“When I first got the news, we were talking about three months,” Skubal said. “Then I was told there might be something that could speed it up and get it down to four to six weeks. That’s all I put my mind on.”

That focus has paid off.

“The surgery went well. I bounced back well. My arm feels good now, and that’s what matters. I’m excited to get back to Detroit,” he added.

Skubal said his velocity felt strong throughout the afternoon and he was generally pleased with the movement on his pitches, though he expects to review more detailed data with the Tigers organization in the coming days.

The Whitecaps provided plenty of support behind the major league star, continuing a strong weekend against Dayton. West Michigan entered Sunday’s contest having won three of the first five games of the series and used another solid all-around performance to close out the homestand on a high note.  

For Whitecaps fans, Sunday’s game offered a rare opportunity to watch one of baseball’s elite pitchers up close. For the Tigers, it provided perhaps the most encouraging sign yet that their ace could soon be returning to the major league rotation.

If Sunday’s performance was any indication, Skubal’s road back to Detroit is nearly complete. 

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