Tarik Skubal Start Confirmed for Wednesday as Tigers Ace Nears 1,000 Strikeouts

Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Tarik Skubal will start Wednesday against the Orioles as the pitcher sits one strikeout away from 1,000 for his career.

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Tuesday that ace Tarik Skubal remains scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The announcement followed Detroit's 14-0 victory on Tuesday, a win Hinch cited as necessary to put the 51-57 Tigers in a better position to contend for a postseason berth. Skubal enters the outing one strikeout shy of reaching 1,000 for his career, a milestone he expressed a desire to achieve at home.

The two-time defending American League Cy Young Award winner has posted a 4-3 record with a 2.70 ERA since returning from experimental elbow surgery. Over 46⅔ innings of work, the left-hander has recorded 65 strikeouts. Despite the approaching August 3 trade deadline, Hinch dismissed the idea of resting the pitcher to avoid injury, stating the team's priority is winning the current series. Skubal, a pending free agent represented by Scott Boras, has voiced his intent to remain in Detroit and lead the franchise to a third consecutive playoff appearance.

Roster Moves and Injury Returns

To facilitate the return of Javier Báez, the Tigers designated catcher Jake Rogers for assignment. Báez has been sidelined since April 28 due to an ankle injury. Rogers, who was acquired by Detroit in the 2017 trade that sent Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros, had served as Skubal’s exclusive catcher during the early stages of the pitcher's career.

Rogers leaves the organization with a .161 batting average through 34 games this season, bringing his career average to .197. His tenure in Detroit included time on the 2020 taxi squad and a missed 2022 season following Tommy John surgery. While recognized as a premier defensive catcher since his 2019 debut, Rogers recently lost the role of Skubal's personal catcher to All-Star Dillon Dingler.

Internal Reaction to Rogers' Departure

The move to cut Rogers prompted emotional responses within the clubhouse. First baseman Spencer Torkelson noted that teammates were holding back tears upon hearing the news Monday night, describing Rogers as a central figure in the team's identity. Hinch echoed these sentiments, noting his long-standing professional relationship with the catcher.

Trade Deadline Pressure and Front Office Strategy

Scott Harris, Detroit’s president of baseball operations, faces the challenge of balancing current competitive goals against the risk of losing Skubal for no return in free agency. The Tigers historically struggle to compete for top-tier free agents against high-spending markets like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.

Skubal remains focused on his upcoming performance against Baltimore despite the external speculation surrounding his future. The left-hander emphasized that his preparation for Wednesday has not changed. The Tigers' front office must now decide if the pursuit of a postseason spot outweighs the potential trade haul available for a reigning Cy Young winner before the deadline expires on August 3.