Tarik Skubal took a meaningful step in his elbow recovery with live batting practice on Tuesday, but Javier Báez’s right-ankle issue has not progressed as hoped, keeping Detroit’s injured-list timeline uncertain.
The Detroit Tigers got at least one piece of good news on Tuesday: Tarik Skubal is moving forward. The other part of the equation, Javier Báez, isn’t. And with both players tied to Detroit’s injured list situation, manager A.J. Hinch’s update before the Tigers opened a series against the Los Angeles Angels painted a split-screen picture for fans.
Skubal. who underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. threw 39 pitches in live batting practice on Tuesday and simulated 2.2 innings. The session came with a clear next step in the plan. After hearing the details of how the work looked. Hinch described the live batting practice as “really encouraging.” The next phase. he said. is to throw against more hitters on Sunday before recording a rehab start.
Cody Stavenhagen shared the moment in real time, noting that Skubal struck out three batters during the work. Jason Beck later captured Hinch’s reinforcement of the progression: live work deemed “really encouraging. ” an increase in volume planned for Sunday. and a rehab start that comes before Skubal returns from the injured list.
For Tigers supporters, that matters because Skubal is the kind of pitcher who can change the feel of a rotation as soon as he’s back. But the update also carried a reminder that timelines aren’t fully under anyone’s control.
While Skubal’s recovery added momentum, Báez’s situation didn’t mirror it. Placed on the injured list earlier this month, the Tigers slugger has missed time due to a right ankle injury. Hinch said the issue “has not progressed as hoped,” and the next step is seeing a specialist. Beck relayed that Báez “will see a specialist for his right ankle injury, which has not progressed as hoped.”.
That contrast hits differently when you look at Báez’s production so far this season. In 24 games, he has posted a .256 batting average with two home runs and six RBIs. The Tigers can live with waiting if it means the player comes back fully ready. But with Hinch describing the ankle progress as not where they’d want it to be. the return still carries a question mark.
Skubal, meanwhile, offered the kind of message that underscores the uncertainty even when progress looks strong. Speaking last Thursday. he said he wants to return “fully healthy. ” adding that it’s “kind of day by day.” On timing. he said. “Tomorrow. how I wake up. how I feel is going to be important.” He also shared confidence that the next step could go well: “I anticipate it’s going to be really well because I feel great right now.”.
The sequence of Tuesday’s updates leaves one undeniable takeaway for Detroit: Skubal is climbing the ladder toward a rehab start. while Báez is headed toward specialist evaluation as his recovery lags behind expectations. For now, fans are left holding two different realities—one moving on schedule, the other still searching for answers.
It remains to be seen when both Tarik Skubal and Javier Báez will return for the Tigers.
Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal Javier Báez A.J. Hinch injured list live batting practice elbow surgery right ankle injury Los Angeles Angels