The Detroit Tigers had a pair of goals heading into the final weeks of the regular season. First, they needed to establish some momentum by winning some key series down the stretch. In addition, they needed to make sure they stayed healthy to be at full strength for a potential run through October.
The Tigers failed the latter part of that equation on Friday night when Tarik Skubal left his start against the Miami Marlins with pain in his left side. Skubal, who is in the mix for his second straight American League Cy Young Award with a record of 13-5 and a 2.26 ERA this season, will undergo imaging tests on Saturday. But after the left-hander described the injury to the Detroit Free Press’s Jeff Seidel as something he’s never felt before, there’s a good chance that Skubal could miss some time.
This isn’t great for the Tigers’ chances down the stretch and requires an “all hands on deck” situation for a team that has already lost Jackson Jobe and Reese Olson to season-ending injuries. It also means that one of the trade deadline acquisitions that were brought in to boost the rotation needs to step up, particularly Chris Paddack.
Tarik Skubal’s Injury Gives Chris Paddack a Redemption Arc with Tigers
The Tigers acquired Paddack in a trade with the Minnesota Twins on July 28, but his arrival hasn’t given Detroit the impact they were looking for. The 29-year-old allowed a 5.40 ERA in 30 innings over his first six starts, and the decision was made to move him to the bullpen ahead of an appearance on the New York Mets on Sept. 2.
That first bullpen appearance did not go well as Paddack allowed six earned runs over 1.1 innings, but was given a pass after the right-hander revealed he was dealing with a death in the family afterward. Paddack has allowed three runs over his past six innings out of the pen but may have to return to the rotation if Skubal is out for a prolonged period of time.
Paddack isn’t the only disappointing trade acquisition for Detroit, as Charlie Morton has been ineffective after coming over from the Baltimore Orioles. But while Morton has struggled throughout his age-41 season, Paddack showed signs of life, allowing three earned runs or fewer in 14 of 17 starts between April 6 and July 4.
The real pressure may be put on the front of the rotation, which includes Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty. But they’ll need someone to step up in order to put themselves in a position to succeed come October. Even if Paddack becomes a five-and-fly pitcher down the stretch, it would be enough to power the Tigers down the stretch and buy time until Skubal returns.