Tarik Skubal gets start vs. Tigers on Friday, facing old team for first time since trade to Dodgers

The left-handed ace hasn't pitched at Comerica Park since July 29, but that was as a member of the Detroit Tigers .

Skubal was traded ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline to the Los Angeles Dodgers . The Tigers got back three minor league players: Zyhir Hope, River Ryan , and Brady Smith. The trade was criticized on social media after such a low return was announced for such a marquee player.

The southpaw is under contract only for the remainder of the 2026 season. Detroit knew that Skubal was approaching free agency and hadn't been able to come to terms with him. Rather than risking him walking for nothing, the Tigers opted to trade him.