Detroit Tigers ace pitcher Tarik Skubal has stated his preference is to finish the season with the team and compete for a championship, acknowledging that his upcoming start on Friday against the Kansas City Royals might be his last.
"I think we have a chance to win World Series," Skubal said Thursday. "That's never changed. That belief in this team has never changed throughout the season."
Skubal, 29, can become a free agent after the World Series. The Tigers face a deadline of Aug. 3 to decide whether to keep him or trade the two-time Cy Young Award contender to acquire players and prospects for the future. He returned to the mound on June 13 after undergoing surgery on May 6 to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow.
"The way the surgery went is exactly how it was supposed to go," Skubal commented on his recovery. "I don’t know if remarkable is the word I would use."
The Tigers' performance has improved significantly since early June, when they held a 22-38 record. Their recent play has placed them back in the playoff picture, fueling speculation about Skubal's future with the club.
"There’s a lot of intrigue around him and the reason is, he’s really good," said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.