Tigers’ Pitching Staff Could Be Loaded Again Soon — But There’s a Catch

The Detroit Tigers are on the verge of a pitching resurgence that has fans buzzing and insiders cautiously optimistic — but as with anything in Motown, it’s never quite that simple.

While the baseball world has been laser-focused on Tarik Skubal’s recovery from elbow surgery, sources close to the situation are now hinting that the Tigers’ rotation could look dramatically different — and potentially dominant — as early as next week. But behind the scenes, there’s reportedly a quiet tension about whether the pieces will actually fall into place.

Skubal Clears Major Hurdle — But Is He Ready?

Skubal, who underwent a procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow earlier this season, reportedly threw a bullpen session Wednesday that team insiders are calling “the final hurdle.” According to one source, the left-hander felt strong after a rehab start Sunday and is now targeting a return that could come as soon as this Saturday.

“He usually throws a bullpen three days before a start, so the timing lines up perfectly,” an unnamed team observer told us. “But nobody’s saying it’s guaranteed. There’s always that nagging worry about setbacks.”

If Skubal does return this weekend, it would inject a much-needed jolt into a Tigers rotation that has struggled with consistency all season. The question fans are asking: Will he be the same pitcher who looked like an ace before the injury?

Verlander and Mize Also Nearing Returns — But Questions Remain

Meanwhile, the Tigers are reportedly on the verge of getting two more veteran arms back into the fold. Justin Verlander, who has been sidelined since late March with a hip injury, is scheduled for a rehab start Wednesday at Triple-A Toledo. According to reports, the future Hall of Famer is “progressing well” but hasn’t faced live hitters in nearly a month, which has some observers worried about rust.

“Verlander is a legend, but he’s also 41 years old — and hip injuries can be tricky,” one insider told us. “The team is being cautious, but you also have to wonder how much he has left in the tank.”

Casey Mize, the former No. 1 overall pick, is also on the comeback trail after dealing with an adductor injury. He made a rehab start Tuesday for Single-A Lakeland, and early reports suggest he looked sharp over four innings. But as any Tigers fan knows, Mize’s career has been a rollercoaster of promise and pain. His last MLB outing came May 27 in a win over the Angels, and team insiders are reportedly keeping a close eye on how his body responds in the coming days.

What This All Means for Detroit

With Skubal, Verlander, and Mize all potentially returning within the same window, the Tigers’ rotation could suddenly transform from a weakness into a strength. But there’s a reason the team is reportedly taking a cautious approach. The last thing Detroit wants is a cascade of reinjuries that derails not just this season, but future plans as well.

“The organization is excited, but they’re also holding their breath,” one source close to the clubhouse told us. “You don’t want to rush anyone back and risk losing them for longer. It’s a balancing act.”

For now, all eyes are on Wednesday’s bullpen session for Skubal, Verlander’s Triple-A outing, and Mize’s progress in the lower minors. If all goes according to plan, the Tigers could have a fully stacked rotation by mid-July — and that, according to insiders, changes everything.