Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow after the team announced the procedure on Monday. The two-time Cy Young winner is expected to miss two to three months, raising questions about his performance and contract value heading into free agency after the 2026 season.
Skubal remains the top name in what is already viewed as a thin 2027 free agent class. Teams cannot yet determine how the injury and any recovery might shape his market, especially given that he underwent elbow surgery once before in the past four years. His return timeline and effectiveness upon coming back will influence any potential deal worth tens of millions of dollars.