Tarik Skubal Injury Updates on Timeline for Return to Tigers Amid MLB Trade Rumors

It sounds like Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is another step closer to his return following his recovery from elbow surgery.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch told reporters on Friday that Skubal is scheduled to make a rehab start on Sunday with the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps.

Skubal will be pitching against the Dayton Dragons, the Cincinnati Reds' High-A affiliate. His first live-game action since undergoing surgery is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.

Skubal's potential return would be some much-needed good news for a Detroit team that ranks fourth in the AL Central with a 25-38 record. The team was above .500 just a little over a month ago, but they've gone 7-21 since May 3 amid their freefall down the standings.

The Tigers have been decimated by injuries to multiple pitchers and key position players. The team recently lost starter Casey Mize to right adductor inflammation and closer Kenley Jansen to a groin injury.

"I've never had a team that's faced this [many] injury struggles," Hinch said last week. "When you lose half your team at some point, it doesn't feel good. It doesn't look good. We're always searching for answers, but we're never going to use it as an excuse. Is it part of it? Of course it is."

The Tigers managed to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays, so they will try to keep the momentum going as they seek their fourth straight win on Friday night in their series opener against the Seattle Mariners (33-30).