Tarik Skubal Steps Away as Wife Prepares to Welcome Second Child, Leaving Tigers to Navigate Crucial Stretch Without Their Ace
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DETROIT – In a season where every inning feels weighted with postseason hopes, the Detroit Tigers are preparing to navigate their next few games without their most valuable arm.
On Monday morning, the Tigers officially placed left-hander Tarik Skubal on the paternity list as he steps away to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. The move allows Skubal to miss up to three games, and while it’s a moment of celebration for Skubal and his family, it leaves the Tigers without their ace during a pivotal stretch as they cling to playoff relevance in the American League.
“It’s a special moment for Tarik and his family, and we’re all excited for him,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Monday’s series opener. “We’ll cover the innings as best we can, but of course, you don’t replace a guy like Tarik.”
A Career Year at a Critical Time
Skubal’s temporary absence comes as he’s putting together the best season of his young career. Through 19 starts, the 27-year-old lefty has posted a 2.68 ERA with 137 strikeouts against just 24 walks in 121 innings, leading all qualified AL pitchers with a 0.96 WHIP. His combination of a mid-90s fastball, a devastating changeup, and elite command has turned him into one of the most consistent starters in baseball this season.
And for a Tigers team hovering around .500 while battling for a Wild Card spot, Skubal’s starts have become must-win affairs.
“He’s been our anchor,” catcher Jake Rogers said. “Every time he’s on the mound, we feel like we have the edge. We’re going to miss him for a few days, but family comes first.”
The Impact on the Playoff Race
The Tigers (51-53) enter this week just 5.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot, a position few would have predicted in March. The team’s resurgence has been fueled by a combination of young talent stepping forward, timely hitting, and a rotation anchored by Skubal’s dominance every fifth day.
Without Skubal, the Tigers will rely on a mix of bullpen arms and potentially a spot start from Reese Olson or Wilmer Flores, depending on how the rotation aligns. Detroit’s upcoming series against the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians will have significant playoff implications, and missing Skubal for even one turn through the rotation could have a ripple effect.
Still, inside the clubhouse, there’s no sense of panic.
“We’ve been resilient all year,” Hinch said. “We’ll continue to be. We’re excited for Tarik and ready to keep pushing forward while he’s away.”
A Personal Milestone for Skubal
For Skubal, stepping away from baseball—even briefly—comes at a unique intersection between professional and personal life. The lefty, drafted in the ninth round out of Seattle University in 2018, has become a cornerstone for the Tigers’ rebuilding efforts, shouldering expectations with the same calmness he brings to the mound.
“Family is everything,” Skubal said over the weekend when asked about the upcoming birth. “Baseball is important, but these are the moments you remember forever.”
He and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2022. Now, as they prepare to expand their family, Skubal will have a chance to step away from the grind of the season, even if only for a few days, to embrace fatherhood once again.
“It’s a blessing to get to be there,” Skubal said. “I’m grateful the team and everyone around me understands.”
What It Means for the Tigers’ Rotation
Without Skubal, the Tigers’ rotation leans heavily on veterans Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty, as well as young arms like Casey Mize, who continues to regain form after Tommy John surgery. The team’s bullpen, which has been quietly effective, will likely shoulder a heavier workload, especially if the Tigers deploy an opener or bullpen game in place of Skubal’s turn.
Detroit has struggled at times to find consistency in its rotation outside of Skubal’s starts. Entering Monday, Tigers starters not named Skubal have combined for a 4.61 ERA, while Skubal’s outings have often served as a reset button for the team’s bullpen and defense.
While the Tigers can survive a few games without their ace, extended time away would represent a significant challenge for a club fighting to stay in the postseason conversation.
Looking Ahead
Skubal is expected to return after the paternity list maximum of three games, rejoining the team by the weekend or early next week, depending on the timing of the birth and family needs. For the Tigers, each game continues to carry weight, and the hope is that Skubal’s return will coincide with the stretch run toward a potential Wild Card berth.
The Tigers have not made the postseason since 2014, and for a fan base eager to see progress in a long rebuild, this season has offered glimpses of hope. Skubal’s dominance has been central to that hope, and while his absence may be felt over the next few days, it comes for the best of reasons.
“We’ll hold it down until he gets back,” Rogers said. “And when he does, we know what we’re getting.”
For now, Skubal’s focus shifts from the mound to the delivery room, where the stakes are higher than any playoff race.
And when he returns, with a new addition to the family and a refreshed perspective, the Tigers will need him more than ever for what could be the most important innings of his career—and perhaps, the innings that will define Detroit’s season.