Sports

Tarik Skubal’s recovery is unprecedented. But can the Tigers stay competitive?

Published

2 months ago

May 26, 2026

DETROIT — Yes, this is progressing quickly. And man, some of the sights have been hard to believe.

Last week, Tarik Skubal played catch and warmed up for a bullpen only 12 days after surgery. Three days after that, Skubal fired 35 pitches in another bullpen session, simulating what would normally be a start day. Skubal exclaimed “F— yeah” after he reached his velocity goal on the final pitch. Skubal wouldn’t share the number, but he described his velocity as “100 percent for a bullpen.”

Tuesday, only 20 days after his May 6 procedure to remove a loose body from his left elbow, Skubal — the back-to-back reigning American League Cy Young Award winner — was back on the game mound at Comerica Park. The stands were empty, but near 2:30 p.m., Skubal came jogging out of the dugout. Jay-Z’s “Holy Grail” blared over the speakers. It’s the song Skubal bounces out to on start days.

Skubal on Tuesday threw 40 pitches in a simulated 2 2/3 innings. Right-handed specialist Jahmai Jones hit a home run to left-center. That home run was the only loud contact Skubal — facing Jones, Zack Short and Gage Workman — surrendered. He struck out three batters. And standing at his locker afterward, Skubal reported more good news.

Although there were no radar readings displayed in the stadium, Skubal was pleased with his velocity and pitch shapes. He harped on some finer points of missed execution. He landed only one of five curveballs for strikes. He critiqued his sinkers to righties and lamented small misses with a few breaking balls away.

Good, mostly, to be talking baseball again.

“All things considered, it was a pretty good day,” Skubal said.

The fact we’re even having these conversations with a pitcher so shortly removed from surgery is fascinating, and that leads us to the crux of this matter. The NanoNeedle scope Dr. Neal ElAttrache used to remove a lima-bean-sized bone chip from Skubal’s elbow had never been used on an MLB pitcher. The smaller, less invasive tool is expected to shorten recovery time. Blake Snell of the Los Angeles Dodgers has already followed suit with a NanoNeedle surgery to remove loose bodies.

But the recovery we’re seeing from Skubal right now has no precedent. And with his Tigers scuffling and the whole sport closely monitoring Skubal’s progress, this uncharted territory is equal parts riveting and consequential.

“I know my work ethic, I know what I’m going to do day to day to come back from injury,” Skubal said. “I’m not really worried about that stuff. I think the more mental tax right now is watching our guys go out and struggle a little bit. That’s more of the part that eats at you as a competitor, just because I can’t help out and do my part, which, I’m expected to provide a lot.”

The Tigers have lost 16 of their 19 games since the day it was announced Skubal would have surgery. They have fallen to five games out of the American League wild-card race.

Even as Skubal speeds through the rehab process, the Tigers have put no projected date on his return to the major leagues. Last week, Skubal even rejected a report from respected injury expert Will Carroll that suggested Skubal, his advisers and the Tigers had discussions about Skubal skipping a rehab assignment and returning as soon as this week.

“If you’re not in those conversations, I wouldn’t trust anything you see,” Skubal had said. “Now, I get it. I want to be back as fast as I can, too. What’s going on right now is kind of unprecedented. I don’t know in the history of the game if there’s been a surgery 15 days ago and I’m throwing a one-inning hypothetical start. I don’t know if that’s ever really been done before. So I get it.

“I want to be back as fast as possible. I also want to be healthy. It does me no good to come back fast, and then something happens and I go back on the shelf again. Everyone in here, it’s bad for everybody involved. We’re going to be smart, but I’m also going to try and push the threshold and communicate with doctors and training staff and have good conversations about where I can go from this point and develop a plan.”

The fact Skubal threw only 40 pitches Tuesday gives us a decent barometer. As outstandingly as this process is going, Skubal still has to build more volume before returning to the major leagues. He is likely to throw another live session in five days. The Tigers will base the process for how much and how quickly Skubal can increase his pitch counts based on his recovery from throwing sessions.

“He’s going to get ‘pitching sore’ again, which is not uncommon, but obviously all attention is on anything with his arm, and it’s been perfectly fine,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “And so recovery is going to really lead this. And then you give him a little bit more rope and a little more rope.”

Hinch on Tuesday reiterated Skubal will need a rehab assignment before returning to the majors. “He’s going to pitch in a game somewhere other than the big leagues before he comes to the big leagues,” Hinch said. “And that will come when it can. If he needs more time, cool. If he’s continuing to progress, we’re paving the way for him.”

As Skubal’s road ahead comes into focus, the idea of him returning to the majors at some point in June no longer feels impossible.

“Three weeks ago, I didn’t know when I was going to be back,” Skubal said. “I didn’t know the time frame on removing a loose body. I didn’t know anything about the injury, right? I guess if you were to check timelines, it would say three months, and I don’t think it’s going to be three months, obviously. And that’s very positive.”

The question now hanging over all this is a big one: Can the Tigers play well enough to remain in contention until Skubal returns? After their losing skid turned into a horror show, the Tigers are now 148-161 in non-Skubal starts since the start of the 2024 season. They are 46-23 with their ace on the mound.

In a weak American League, Detroit’s five-game deficit in the wild-card standings is not insurmountable. Even with the Tigers’ grisly combination of injury misfortune and wretched play, their season is not yet over. The eventual return of Skubal and others — including needed hitters such as Gleyber Torres and Kerry Carpenter — serves as a beacon of hope.

But if the Tigers do not regroup quickly, Skubal’s return could represent nothing more than a quick farewell tour. Skubal is set to be a free agent at the end of the season and could command an impressive haul if the Tigers are forced to sell at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

The uncomfortable uncertainty is becoming a real topic. But we won’t know how this ends until we get there.

For now, Skubal is sticking to his process. He is watching from the dugout. And somewhere in his mind, Skubal might be having the same thoughts as everyone else.

Can the Tigers snap out of this before it’s too late?

“It sucks, no doubt,” Skubal said. “I hate it. Just having to watch, it’s not fun. You feel for the guys, but also, I think we’ve played a bad stretch of baseball here, and we’re still, what, five games out of the wild card? So that’s just the reality of the situation, too. As bad as it may seem, we’re still right there.”

Sports

Shergar Cup: Ryan Moore helps Great Britain and Ireland to Ascot crown | Racing News

Published

4 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

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Ryan Moore bagged a Shergar Cup double on his return to the competition following a 20-year absence to help his Great Britain and Ireland team win the team event while he was also crowned leading rider over the six races.

Winner of the Silver Saddle on his last appearance at the team-based meeting in 2006, Moore has usually been required to ride on a Group One card in Ireland.

But with that meeting put back 24 hours he was free to attend and delighted the Ascot crowd.

Team Great Britain and Ireland topped the standings on 81 points from Team Hong Kong in second on 62, with Moore’s individual haul of 47 enough to take the Silver Saddle.

He first struck on Dylan Cunha’s Asgard’s Captain (13-2) who stuck to his task gamely to win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge by a length and a quarter from Yutake Take on Sportingsilvermine for the Rest of the World.

Moore said: “Dylan did say he could be a little bit lazy, but he has an uncomplicated attitude and to just help him through it and it was straightforward, really.

“It’s great to get Dylan a winner here today and the owners will be delighted as they were all looking forward to it, so it’s a good job the horse has performed today.”

In the penultimate Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic, he gave Marco Botti’s Archers Bay (5-2) a textbook ride coming home three-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Christophe Lemaire on King Of Berkshire for Team Europe.

Having run in the Italian Derby earlier in the season, he looked the class act and so it proved.

In the closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, Moore finished third on Ozat behind the Frida Valle Skar-ridden Crown Board (10-1), but her Team Europe were not in contention for top honours by then.

Saffie Osborne thrives in the team environment and got her name on the scoresheet when Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger justified 2-1 favouritism in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.

Osborne was leading rider in the Racing League on three occasions and is captaining Moore and Dylan Browne McMonagle in Team Great Britain and Ireland.

She said: “I heard a few people knocking this horse today but I thought the track would really suit and it has. I’m just glad I pulled my finger out.

“Looking at the standard of jockeys here today, it’s amazing – look at our team with Ryan Moore and Ireland’s champion jockey.

“The win for me today is that I made Ryan laugh a couple of times, so I’m quite happy with that!”

Team Hong Kong had earlier set the pace winning the first two races.

Jerry Chau gave them the perfect start when partnering Tuco Salamanca to a clear-cut victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash.

Representing a team making its Shergar Cup debut, Chau, 26, gave Ollie Sangster’s four-year-old the perfect ride, taking a lead into the final furlong before a gap opened up seamlessly.

Tuco Salamanca (4-1) quickened impressively to beat Gold Star Hero, ridden by Chau’s team-mate Vincent Ho, by a length and a half.

Fandom and Suraj Narredu were third for the Rest of the World.

Chau told Sky Sports Racing: “It felt amazing when I hit the line.

“No words can describe riding a winner at Ascot. I grew up watching Ryan Moore on YouTube. I watched him as much as I could.”

Luke Ferraris did not have to wait long to play his part for Team Hong Kong as after an opening race one-two from his team-mates, he drove home Dancing In Paris to win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers.

Riding the Ian Williams-trained 17-2 shot, Ferraris came with a late run to collar Moore on Andrew Balding’s Shrimp Shady to win by a length.

Mountain Road was third for Yutake Take and the Rest of the World.

Ferraris said: “That’s phenomenal, he’s a lot fitter than me! He was turned out in great order.

“He didn’t settle as good as he should have, but he still produced a great turn of foot.

“I think I’ve only ridden in one two-mile race in recent years, so it was a bit of a change.

“We’ve a good group of young riders representing Hong Kong, so let’s hope it continues.”

Sports

'There's no hiding'- IBF champ McKenna puts middleweight division on notice

Published

10 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

qasimgillani

'There's no hiding'- IBF champ McKenna puts middleweight division on notice

Sports

Carabao Cup: Burnley edge win on penalties, West Ham, Norwich & Watford through | Football News

Published

16 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

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Kyle Walker struck the winning penalty as Burnley edged out Notts County 4-3 in a shoot-out to reach the Carabao Cup second round after a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

Newly-promoted County, League Two play-off final winners over Salford in May, led through Callum Roberts at half-time before Zian Flemming equalised early in the second period for the Clarets.

Walker struck the winning penalty after Burnley goalkeeper Max Weiss had saved efforts from Notts pair Emile Acquah and Jacob Bedeau in the shoot-out.

West Ham came from behind to beat Portsmouth 3-1 at the London Stadium in their first match following relegation from the Premier League.

The Hammers fell behind to Adrian Segecic’s first-half opener, but turned it round before the break with Taty Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen on target, before the former notched his second in the second half.

Substitute Jamal Lowe struck the only goal as Sheffield Wednesday beat 10-man Bolton 1-0 at Hillsborough.

Lowe scored midway through the second half after Bolton’s Xavier Simons was sent off for punching Owls’ on-loan Leeds striker Harry Gray in retaliation having been pulled back.

Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen saved all four of QPR’s penalties as the Lions won 2-0 in a shoot-out at Loftus Road after the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Luke Cundle had given Millwall a second-half lead after a goalkeeper error before the Hoops hit back through a late own goal from Mark Sykes.

Norwich debutant Andre Brooks was on target as the Canaries cruised to a 4-1 win against MK Dons at Carrow Road.

Cardiff substitute Jack Moylan also scored on his debut, firing the winner as the Bluebirds won 3-2 against Swindon, for whom James Debayo was sent off for two yellow cards in the final six minutes.

August Priske’s first-half finish sealed Birmingham a 1-0 win at Swansea and Marc Bola’s stunning long-range strike deep in added time clinched Watford victory over Crawley by the same score.

Late goals from substitutes Andri Gudjohnsen and Jayden Fevrier secured Blackburn a 2-1 win at Burton.

Newly-promoted Lincoln picked up where they left off last season, winning 2-1 at Derby thanks to first-half goals from Ben House and Dom Jefferies before Sammie Szmodics pulled one back for the Rams.

Ollie Norburn’s own goal and Robert Bozenik’s late effort secured Stoke a 2-0 win against Oldham at the bet365 Stadium and Bradford pair Will Swan and Aden Baldwin earned their side a 2-0 home win against Rochdale.

Fleetwood captain Ched Evans’ first-half effort sealed his side a 1-0 home win against Chesterfield and Cambridge hit back to beat Barnet 2-1 through second-half goals from Ben Knight and Isaac Heath.

AFC Wimbledon, Barnsley and Reading progressed after winning on penalties against Newport, Wigan and Bromley respectively, while Preston, Shrewsbury and Doncaster came through respective shoot-outs against Huddersfield, Salford and Stockport.

Luca Moore’s late goal sealed Crewe a 2-1 victory against Accrington at Gresty Road and late goals from Demetri Mitchell and Idris El Mizouni secured Leyton Orient a 2-0 home win against Oxford.

Peterborough, Luton and Blackpool all won on the road, at Bristol Rovers, Gillingham and Grimsby respectively, and Caleb Okoli’s header secured Leicester a 1-0 home win against Northampton.

In the evening kick-offs, there was a 2-0 victory for Southampton as Cyle Larin and Romeo Akachukwu scored their goals at Colchester.

While West Brom won 4-1 at Rotherham and Charlton secured a 3-1 victory at Cheltenham.

When is the second round draw?

The draw for the second round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup will be made live on Sky Sports Football on Monday August 10, during the build-up to the tie between Plymouth and Exeter.

The draw will feature all first-round winners, as well as the 11 Premier League clubs not participating in European competition.