98 MPH Sinkers? Tarik Skubal Is Back and the AL Isn't Ready For It

Okay, Mariners faithful, listen up! You know we watch every arm in this league, especially when they're potential trade candidates or just flat-out dominant. Well, Tarik Skubal, that Tigers ace we've all had an eye on, is back, and he came back faster than anyone expected. The dude, a two-time reigning Cy Young winner, hit the mound on Saturday after being out since April 29, and holy moly, the velocity numbers are just insane post-surgery. We're talking about a quick return from elbow surgery to remove bone chips, thanks to some nanoscope tech that could change the game. This guy is on our radar, big time, and the rest of the American League better be paying attention.

The Heater Is Back, Baby, And It's Even Faster

You gotta see this to believe it. Skubal didn't just come back, he came back with a cannon for an arm. His four-seam fastball? Averaging a blistering 97.8 miles per hour on Saturday. That's up from his previous season average of 96.6 mph! And his sinker was even hotter, clocking in at 98 mph, compared to its 96.4 mph season average. Are you kidding me? After surgery to remove bone chips? That nanoscope procedure they used sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, and it clearly worked some magic. The dude was flashing a nasty changeup too, getting a swing-and-miss strikeout that was just pure filth. For a guy coming off the IL, those velocity numbers are not just good, they're downright terrifying for opposing hitters, including, eventually, our Mariners if we cross paths. The raw stuff is absolutely elite, maybe even better than before.

Still Grinding His Way Back to Cy Young Form

Now, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Saturday’s return was a bit of a mixed bag, which is totally fair for a guy pitching after a speedy elbow recovery. Skubal took the loss in a 3-1 Guardians win, working 4 ⅔ innings and getting pulled after 80 pitches. He gave up three runs, two of them earned, on five hits and a walk, with four strikeouts. Definitely not his usual Cy Young stuff. We saw the velocity dip a bit by the fifth inning, showing he's not totally dialed in yet. Plus, he gave up a home run on an 0-2 count, which has only happened five times in his entire career. That's a definite red flag that he wasn't quite locked in. His control and command were also not at his usual pinpoint level. Only 53 of his 80 pitches, or 66.25%, were strikes. That's a small dip from his previous three seasons, where he was consistently above 69%, even topping out at 70.3% last season. He only had one minor league rehab start, throwing 54 pitches, before jumping to 80 on Saturday. So, it's clear he's still building back up.

But hey, the foundation is there. The arm talent is undeniable. The smart money says he'll be pushing into the 90-pitch range in his next outing and really start looking like his elite self very soon. Keep an eye on him. His next start is scheduled for next Friday against the White Sox at Comerica Park. You know we'll be watching to see how this AL ace progresses. Go M's!

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