Tarik Skubal injury update: Tigers ace takes 'great step,' velocity up

Detroit — There's still no timetable, but there's a lot of talk. Tigers ace Tarik Skubal continues to appear well ahead of schedule in his rehab from arthroscopic elbow surgery, and he took another step Thursday, throwing more than 30 pitches in a bullpen session. Tigers manager AJ Hinch called it a "great step" in speaking to the media before the series finale against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park.

"He came into my office right away, was excited," Hinch said. "It's full stuff. " Hinch said the next step for Skubal will be another bullpen session during the Tigers' weekend series in Baltimore.

Beyond that, things remain unclear, though Skubal confirmed to reporters, including MLB. com's Jason Beck after his bullpen session Thursday, that he will need at least one rehab stint before he eventually rejoins the rotation. Hinch said Skubal's pregame bullpen session featured some simulated game elements, including a sitdown, like he would between innings of a normal state.

Hinch said Skubal's velocity was the highest it's been since he started throwing, remarkably less than three weeks after he had surgery to remove a loose body from the elbow . "There are little hurdles to clear along the way when you come back from a procedure," Hinch said. "And as much as we've described it as simple, it's still a procedure.