Detroit Tigers ace left-hander Tarik Skubal has been placed on the paternity list to join his wife for the birth of their second child.
The move opens a spot on the active roster for right-hander Troy Melton, who was selected from Triple-A Toledo and will make his major-league debut Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.
Skubal is expected to return after three days on the paternity list and is slated to start Saturday in Detroit against the Toronto Blue Jays.
To create space on the 40-man roster, the Tigers designated outfielder Brewer Hicklen for assignment.
Melton, 24, has struck out 56 batters and walked just nine in 36 1/3 innings since being promoted to Triple-A Toledo in June. A California native, he played college baseball at San Diego State and was selected by the Tigers in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is currently ranked as the Tigers’ No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline. Scouting reports praise his mid-90s fastball and deep arsenal, which includes a cutter, curveball, slider and changeup.
Tigers moneyline is -146 on FanDuel for Wednesday’s game against the Pirates. Our complete FanDuel Sportsbook review shows you how to navigate through their site.
Hicklen, 29, was briefly with the Tigers in May, notching his first big-league hit nearly three years after his MLB debut. He had previously made two brief big-league appearances, going 0-for-4 with the Kansas City Royals in 2022 and 0-for-5 with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. The Tigers acquired Hicklen from the Brewers for cash considerations at the end of March. The Alabama native was originally drafted by the Royals in the seventh round in 2017 out of UAB.
If Hicklen clears waivers, he can be outrighted back to Triple-A Toledo.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Reese Olson throws against the Texas Rangers in the first inning during a baseball game, Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)AP
Tigers’ pitching plans for the Toronto series at Comerica Park:
Thursday, 6:40 p.m.
LHP Eric Lauer (5-2, 2.80) vs. RHP Reese Olson (4-3, 2.71)
Friday, 7:10 p.m.
RHP José BerrÃos (6-4, 3.87) vs. RHP Keider Montero (4-2, 4.28)
Saturday, 6:10 p.m.
RHP Kevin Gausman (7-7, 4.01) vs. LHP Tarik Skubal (10-3, 2.19)
Sunday, 1:40 p.m.
RHP Max Scherzer (1-0, 5.14) vs. RHP Jack Flaherty (5-10, 4.77)
Defending AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal takes the mound against the Texas Rangers on “Sunday Night Baseball” today. Find out how to watch for free. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)AP
TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Left-handed pitchers (6): Dietrich Enns, Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn, Brant Hurter, PJ Poulin, Tarik Skubal***.
Right-handed pitchers (16): Beau Brieske, Jack Flaherty, Sawyer Gipson-Long*, Brenan Hanifee, Carlos Hernández, Tommy Kahnle, Chase Lee, Matt Manning, Tyler Mattison**, Troy Melton, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Dylan Smith, Tyler Owens, Will Vest.
Catchers (2): Dillon Dingler, Jake Rogers.
Infielders (9): Javier Báez, Jace Jung, Andy Ibáñez, Colt Keith, Ryan Kreidler, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres.
Outfielders (7): Kerry Carpenter*, Riley Greene, Jahmai Jones, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, Matt Vierling.
*On 10-day or 15-day injured list
**On minor-league injured list
***On paternity list
Left-handed pitcher Sean Guenther (left hip surgery); and right-handed pitchers Alex Lange (right lat strain and surgery), José Urquidy (Tommy John surgery), Ty Madden (rotator cuff strain), Alex Cobb (right hip inflammation), Jason Foley (shoulder surgery) and Jackson Jobe (Tommy John surgery) are on the 60-day injured list and do not count against the 40-man roster.
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