Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) rubs his arm during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

DETROIT — Two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will have surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow after being scratched from Monday’s start against the Boston Red Sox.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters that the left-hander felt discomfort in his elbow on Sunday, less than a week after an injury scare against the Atlanta Braves. The 29-year-old — set to become a free agent next offseason — underwent tests that showed the loose bodies. The surgery hadn’t yet been scheduled.

There is no immediate timetable for his return, though similar injuries usually require a two-to-three month recovery period. The phrase “loose bodies” often refers to pieces of bone or cartilage that break off and float in the joint space, though the specifics of Skubal’s case are unclear.

“From my understanding, you just go take it out,” Skubal told MLB.com. “I think length of the rehab is probably just getting your spring training buildup up again, getting your volume up. But the procedure itself I think is pretty simple as far as what I’ve been explained.”

Skubal pitched for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic this spring but was careful with his workload, throwing in just one game before returning to spring training with the Tigers. He won a record salary arbitration case in February and is being paid $32 million this season, far exceeding the team’s $19 million offer.

Skubal has a 3-2 record with a 2.70 ERA over seven starts this season, striking out 45 over 43• innings. The Tigers are currently tied for first place in the AL Central with an 18-17 record.

Skubal initially felt pain in his elbow last week against the Braves but stayed in the game. He rubbed his left arm after a 2-2 pitch to Matt Olson, drawing a visit from the trainer and Hinch. Skubal threw one warmup pitch, decided he was OK and struck out the side to end his night.

He allowed five hits, fanned seven and didn’t walk anyone.

The two-time All-Star won the AL Cy Young award in each of the last two seasons. He had an 18-4 record with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 2024 and was 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts last year.

He’s also been effective in the postseason with a 2-1 record, 2.04 ERA and 56 strikeouts over six starts.

Legendary Yanks announcer dies

NEW YORK — John Sterling, the ebullient radio broadcaster known for extravagant, individualized home run calls and shouting “theee Yankees win!” after each of New York’s victories, died Monday. He was 87.

Sterling had a heart attack and bypass surgery this winter and had returned to his home in Edgewater, New Jersey, where he was cared for by health aides. He died of complications Monday at Englewood Hospital, according to his former wife, Jennifer.

Starting during down years with Dallas Green and Bucky Dent in the dugout and Don Mattingly trying vainly to push the Yankees back to glory, Sterling entertained fans through the dynasty days of Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera and into the Aaron Judge era.

During a game against Boston on June 10, 2023, Sterling was hit by a foul ball off the bat of Boston’s Justin Turner, said “Ow! Ow! Ow! It really hit me. I didn’t know if it was coming back that far,” and without pause continued his game commentary.

“He brought that New York theater to the ballpark,” Judge said. “He was almost a kid up there in the broadcast talking about the game.”

Sterling He called 5,651 games — 5,426 regular season Yankees games plus 225 postseason — including 5,060 in a row from September 1989 through July 2019. He retired in April 2024 just after the season’s start, citing fatigue, then returned to broadcast Yankees games during the 2024 postseason.

Help for Brewers

ST. LOUIS — The Milwaukee Brewers are getting some badly needed punch back in their lineup with Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn coming off the injured list.

Both players had been dealing with fractured bones in their left hands. Chourio hadn’t played yet for Milwaukee this season. Vaughn appeared in only one game before going on the injured list. The Brewers reinstated both players before opening a three-game series with St. Louis on Monday night.

They optioned outfielder Blake Perkins to Triple-A Nashville and designated outfielder Greg Jones for assignment.

Mariners’ All-Star hurting

SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is out of the starting lineup for the third straight game with a sore right side, manager Dan Wilson said Monday.

Raleigh began experiencing soreness following Friday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals and was a late scratch on Saturday.

Raleigh said there wasn’t a specific moment Friday when he felt the injury happen and that he was “playing it safe” on the recommendation of the team’s training staff. He had on MRI on Saturday and is awaiting results.

Marlins make switch

MIAMI — The Miami Marlins promoted catcher Joe Mack from Triple-A and demoted the slumping Agustin Ramirez before the club’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mack, rated the fifth catching prospect in the major leagues and 54th fourth overall, is hitting .244 with three homers and nine RBIs through 24 games with the Marlins’ affiliate in Jacksonville. The Marlins will close a four-game series against Philadelphia and Mack will start behind the plate and hit seventh.

The 24-year-old Mack has ascended through the Marlins’ organization after he was the 31st overall selection in the 2021 draft. The club notably values his defensive skills. Ramirez, who finished sixth in the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year voting, was hitting .231 with two homers before his demotion to the minors.

Orioles add pitching

NEW YORK — Right-handed reliever Lou Trivino agreed to a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, three days after he was released from a minor league contract by the Philadelphia Phillies.

The 34-year-old Trivino was 3-0 with a 2.77 ERA in 10 relief outings for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

On deck

Tonight: Pittsburgh at Arizona, 9:40 p.m.

Pitchers: Pirates RHP Bubba Chandler (1-3) vs. D-backs LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0)

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: HANK-FM 96.1