Dodgers Facing Emmet Sheehan Decision After Tarik Skubal Trade Report
At 20-31 through 51 games of the season, the Tigers find themselves at the bottom of the National League Central, nine and a half games behind the division-leading Cleveland Guardians. The Tigers are in desperate need of consistent production from their offense, defense and pitching staff; however, injuries have been a major factor in the team's struggles.
One of the biggest setbacks for the Tigers this season has been losing ace Tarik Skubal to the injured list on May 4, retroactive to May 1, due to loose bodies in his left elbow.
Prior to the injury, the 23-year-old Skubal was primed to have another dominant season with a 2.70 earned run average over seven games, allowing 14 runs on 35 hits, while striking out 45 batters across 43 1/3 innings.
An encouraging sign for Skubal came soon after he was placed on the IL, when he underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow using a minimally invasive NanoScope procedure, which has allowed him to recover much faster than traditional surgery would have.
Now, the 2024 and 2025 AL Cy Young Award winner is throwing mound sessions just weeks after the procedure; however, it's still too early for the Tigers to offer a timetable for his return.
With Skubal now able to return much sooner than expected and the Tigers in dire straits in the AL Central, the team might consider moving on from the ace.
One of the most likely trade candidates for Skubal is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
An MLB executive on who could land Tarik Skubal if he's traded, per @ByRobertMurray
— SleeperDodgers (@SleeperDodgers) May 22, 2026
"Friedman could go out and get him. He ups a team's chances to win the World Series by a pretty big margin. You get two starts in that five-game series. Friedman gets him, that's my prediction." pic.twitter.com/MkqA3LFLt5
Prior to the 2026 season, the Tigers were hearing trade offers for Skubal, with the Dodgers among the teams interested, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. In a December 2025 article, Petzold made the case for the Dodgers to acquire Skubal for Emmet Sheehan, Alex Freeland, Jackson Ferris and Christian Zazueta.
"Sheehan, the centerpiece of the return, would provide the Tigers with an immediate replacement for Skubal in the rotation, especially since he has already proven he can perform at the highest level," said Petzold.
Sheehan had a decent 2025 season with the Dodgers, pitching to a 2.82 ERA in 15 games, allowing 29 runs on 49 hits with 89 strikeouts over 73 1/3 innings. His 2026 season however, has been a different story. In 2026 the right-hander has pitched to a 4.93 ERA in just nine games, allowing 25 runs on 45 hits with 51 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings.
It's safe to say that the Tigers would be in a way worse position to contend for a playoff spot with Sheehan as a return starter for Skubal. While the Tigers do need to find a way to win games right now, it's not worth the risk to trade away Skubal for a pitcher who has yet to find success in 2026.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 1:40 PM.