Tigers To Activate Tarik Skubal On Saturday; Casey Mize Likely To Return On Sunday

Key Points:

• The Detroit Tigers will receive a significant boost to their starting rotation this weekend with the return of two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal on Saturday and the likely return of right-hander Casey Mize on Sunday, pending a final bullpen session.
• Skubal’s rapid return comes just five weeks after undergoing an experimental "NanoNeedle" arthroscopic elbow procedure, which has allowed him to recover faster than usual, with a successful rehab start already completed.
• Casey Mize, who has been pitching exceptionally well this season with a 2.27 ERA and career-high strikeout rates, is expected to rejoin the rotation, potentially leading to a six-man rotation including rookie Troy Melton, Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, and Keider Montero.
• The Tigers, despite being 12 games under .500, have won six of their last eight games and remain within five and a half games of a Wild Card spot, with upcoming series against Cleveland, Chicago, and Houston offering opportunities to improve their standing.
• Manager A.J. Hinch faces decisions on managing the rotation depth, especially with Justin Verlander’s anticipated return later this month, as the team navigates an injury-plagued season with promising pitching reinforcements.