Tigers ace Tarik Skubal exits with apparent injury

Detroit Tigers ace left-hander Tarik Skubal left Friday night's series opener against the host Miami Marlins due to an apparent injury.

Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, retired Miami's Heriberto Hernandez on a popup leading off the bottom of the fourth inning. Before throwing his next pitch, Skubal tugged at his jersey under his left arm and motioned to the dugout.

After manager A.J. Hinch and assistant trainer Kelly Rhoades came to the mound, Skubal was lifted in favor of reliever Rafael Montero.

Per multiple media reports, Skubal appeared to be grabbing at his left rib cage or left side before leaving the mound.

Skubal was charged with four runs on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks in 3 1/3 innings on Friday. It marked the first time since June 19, 2024 -- a stretch of 44 starts -- that the 28-year-old allowed more runs than innings pitched. He threw 33 of his 45 pitches for strikes.

Skubal is favored to repeat as the AL Cy Young winner. He leads the AL Central-leading Tigers' rotation with a 13-4 record, a 2.10 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP this season entering Friday's start.

--Field Level Media