Tarik Skubal Takes Temporary Leave From Tigers Following Personal Announcement

Tarik Skubal Takes Temporary Leave From Tigers Following Personal Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

After a surprising Cinderella run in the 2024 MLB postseason, the Detroit Tigers have clearly taken the next step, consistently ranking among the league’s best teams throughout the 2025 campaign.

While their lineup is one of the strongest from top to bottom, much of their success comes from elite pitching, led by ace and AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal.

Skubal, who won the Cy Young Award in 2024, continues to improve. This season, he’s currently 10-3 with a 2.19 ERA and a 4.9 WAR. When he’s on the mound, the Tigers are one of the toughest teams to beat in all of baseball.

However, the Tigers may have to manage without his presence for a few days. After his last start on Sunday Night Baseball, the team announced on Wednesday that Skubal has been placed on the paternity list so he can be with his wife, Jessica, as they welcome their second child.

Tarik Skubal DAD STRENGTH LOADING! 🤝

Best of LUCK to the Skubal Family 🙏 pic.twitter.com/SiE87m5sDc

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) July 23, 2025

Currently, Skubal is still listed as the projected starter for Friday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to ESPN. In the meantime, Detroit has called up pitcher Troy Melton, who is set to make his MLB debut Wednesday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

102 games into the season, the Tigers are firmly in control of the AL Central, holding a commanding 9-game lead over the second-place Cleveland Guardians. Detroit sits at 60-42 and clings to the best record in the American League, with the Blue Jays and Houston Astros close behind.

Related: Former Tigers Infielder Pegged as Top Fit for Detroit by ESPN Insiders

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.