The Detroit Tigers continue to receive positive news on the recovery of ace Tarik Skubal.

According to manager A.J. Hinch, via Brad Galli, Skubal came through his recent bullpen session without any issues, an important step as the left-hander works his way back from elbow surgery that sidelined him in early May.

“He’s checking every box,” Hinch said. “Today was another step towards that. I like where it’s going. I like where he is describing his normal work days. Everything is normal today, which is the best news we could get.”

Those comments may not sound dramatic, but for a pitcher returning from an elbow procedure, “normal” is exactly what the Tigers want to hear. Teams closely monitor how a player feels during and after throwing sessions, and any setback can alter a recovery timeline. In Skubal’s case, the reports continue to be encouraging.

The reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner last pitched on April 29 before undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. Since then, Detroit has been forced to navigate a difficult stretch without the anchor of its rotation.

While Hinch cautioned against looking too far ahead, signs continue to point toward Skubal being available to return to Detroit’s rotation soon. Current expectations have him lined up for a potential start against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, assuming he continues to progress without complications.

For a Tigers club searching for stability during a challenging season, the return of one of baseball’s best pitchers cannot come soon enough. Every successful bullpen session brings Skubal one step closer to taking the mound at Comerica Park again.