DETROIT — Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal completed his third practice throwing session Thursday as he continues his comeback from elbow surgery.
The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner had a minimally invasive operation on his left throwing elbow May 6 to extract a loose fragment. His latest throwing session took place before Detroit’s home matchup with Cleveland.
Manager A.J. Hinch described the session as a “great step” while declining to provide a timeline for Skubal’s return to competition.
“There are little hurdles to clear along the way when you come back from a procedure,” Hinch said. “As much as we described it as simple, it’s still a procedure.”
During the session, Skubal utilized all of his pitches while delivering 35 throws total, including a rest period designed to replicate the break between innings.
“His velocity was as high as it’s been since his throwing started,” Hinch said. “He sat down and came back and did like a simulated second inning. That’s encouraging and it’s full stuff.”
The pitcher will accompany the team on their upcoming road trip to Baltimore this weekend, where he’ll complete another throwing session. Team medical personnel and coaches will assess his progress before determining the next phase of his recovery.
This season, Skubal has posted a 3-2 record with a 2.70 ERA across seven appearances. His contract expires following this season.
