Tarik Skubal Returns to Detroit Friday; Ohtani Eyes Sunday Series Finale Start

Tarik Skubal makes his return to Comerica Park on Friday, while Shohei Ohtani could start Sunday's series finale against the Tigers.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal is scheduled to start the opening game of a weekend series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Friday. The first pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, marking Skubal's first appearance in Detroit since being traded by the organization 27 days ago. In four starts since joining the Dodgers, the two-time Cy Young Award winner has posted a 3.38 ERA across 24 innings of work. Skubal, a ninth-round pick by Detroit in the 2018 draft, departed the Tigers following an emotional farewell in Sacramento on August 1.

Hours before Skubal takes the mound on Friday, Shohei Ohtani will throw a bullpen session to determine his availability for the series finale. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that if the session is successful and Ohtani’s left knee remains free of discomfort, the 32-year-old could start on Sunday. The current plan for Shohei Ohtani pitching in that scenario involves him throwing only the first inning. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow would likely follow Ohtani to serve as the bulk pitcher, providing a potential blueprint for the team's postseason rotation strategy.

Ohtani's Path to the Postseason

Ohtani has not appeared as a pitcher in a major league game since July 3. He is currently utilizing a roster quirk that allows him to build up his arm strength during regular-season games rather than participating in a minor league rehab assignment. This approach follows his recovery from a second elbow surgery performed last summer. If he makes his return this Sunday, Ohtani would be positioned to make five starts before the conclusion of the regular season. This schedule is designed to give him a reasonable opportunity to handle a traditional starter's workload by October.

Dodgers Rotation Depth and Strategy

The potential return of Ohtani would give the Dodgers a five-man front-line rotation for the playoffs, featuring Ohtani, Glasnow, Skubal, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This depth could result in Glasnow moving to a relief role, similar to his usage during the National League Division Series last year. However, manager Dave Roberts emphasized on Wednesday in Atlanta that no definitive decisions regarding the pitching staff will be made until Ohtani completes his Friday bullpen session. The team is prioritizing the health of Ohtani's left knee before committing to the Sunday start.

Skubal’s Return to Comerica Park

Skubal’s return to Detroit comes exactly four weeks after his immersion into the Dodgers organization. Despite his 3.38 ERA in Los Angeles, Roberts noted that the pitcher has moved on from the trade that sent him away from his former teammates. The manager expressed hope that the Tigers' organization would hold any planned festivities or tributes on Saturday, the night after the series opener, to ensure Skubal remains focused on his Friday start. Skubal previously admitted that many of his best friends remain on the Detroit roster, and he was visibly emotional when saying goodbye to the club earlier this month. The Friday start represents his first time facing the franchise that developed him from a 2018 late-round draft selection into a decorated starter.