That 97.8 MPH Heater Is Back, But Tarik Skubal's Control Is STILL a Mess and His Next Start Is Everything

Holy smokes, did you guys see what went down Saturday? Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the dude who's won two Cy Youngs, was back on the mound way faster than anyone thought possible after elbow surgery. We're talking April 29th was his last big-league appearance, then boom, he's back, throwing heat! But here's the thing for all of us keeping an eye on the league: his return was a total mixed bag. He got tagged with the loss in a 3-1 Guardians win, and while the stat line wasn't pretty, there's a wild twist that changes everything about how we look at this guy right now.

The Nanoscope Miracle and That Filthy Velocity Boost

So, Skubal had bone chips removed from his left elbow, right? And they used some crazy nanoscope tech that could totally speed up future recoveries for other guys across the league. That's huge news by itself! But the really jaw-dropping part was his velocity. You'd expect him to be easing back, but nope! This guy's four-seam fastball was averaging 97.8 miles per hour. Let that sink in, his previous average THIS season was 96.6 mph. And his sinker? Averaging a blistering 98 mph against a season average of 96.4. That's a serious jump! Plus, he still flashed that nasty changeup, getting a swing-and-miss strikeout that reminded everyone why he's a two-time Cy Young winner. The arm strength is definitely there, and that's gotta get you pumped!

Command Issues and a Home Run Blunder

Alright, time for the tough truth. While the velocity was insane, Skubal was pulled after just 80 pitches, getting through only 4 ⅔ innings. He coughed up three runs, two of them earned, on five hits and a walk, with four strikeouts. Not exactly Cy Young numbers, right? And here's the kicker: his velocity started dipping by the fifth inning. That tells you he's not fully stretched out. Plus, he gave up a home run on an 0-2 count, which is something he's only done five times in his entire career. That's a massive red flag. His control and command were not "all the way Cy Young Skubal." He wasn't hitting his spots with that usual ease. His strike percentage was 66.25% (53 of 80 pitches), which is a dip below his previous three seasons where he was always above 69%, even hitting 70.3% last year. It just shows he's still working his way back.

Skubal only had one minor-league rehab start, throwing 54 pitches. So hitting 80 on Saturday was a big jump. The word is he's going to aim for the 90s in his next outing, and that's when we'll really see if he can get back to being that elite hurler we all know. He's scheduled to pitch next Friday against the White Sox in Detroit's Comerica Park. Every single pitch in that game is going to matter, big time. You know everyone around the league, especially those of us up here in the Emerald City, will be watching closely to see if he can put it all together. Go get 'em, Skubal!

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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.