Amid trade rumors, MLB's Detroit pitcher Skubal replaced to standing ovation

Tarik Skubal, the ace left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, received a heartfelt standing ovation from the home crowd during his start against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. With the trade deadline looming, fans at Comerica Park acknowledged the possibility that this could be his last appearance for the team, offering a farewell salute as he left the mound.

Skubal delivered a strong performance, pitching 6⅔ innings and allowing three runs on four hits, with one walk and six strikeouts. In the first inning, he recorded his 1,000th career strikeout by fanning leadoff hitter Cedric Mullins. This milestone, achieved in his 857th inning, broke the previous franchise record held by Max Scherzer, who reached it in 944⅔ innings.

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Things are happening around me that are out of my control. But I always try to focus on the present.

However, Skubal's solid outing, which saw the Tigers leading 7-1 when he departed, couldn't secure a win. The bullpen faltered, allowing the Orioles to tie the game and eventually win 10-9 in 12 innings. Skubal's season record now stands at 7 wins, 6 losses, with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 16 starts.

With the Tigers struggling in fourth place in the AL Central and far from playoff contention, Skubal, who becomes a free agent after the 2026 season, is widely expected to be traded before the Aug. 4 deadline. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves are reportedly interested. "Things are happening around me that are out of my control. But I always try to focus on the present," Skubal said of the trade rumors. "It was really special when the fans stood up and gave me a standing ovation. I hope the fans felt that I gave everything I had for this team and this city. I truly did."

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It was really special when the fans stood up and gave me a standing ovation. I hope the fans felt that I gave everything I had for this team and this city. I truly did.