{"id":599649,"date":"2026-03-01T10:13:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T10:13:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/599649\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T10:13:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T10:13:51","slug":"detroit-tigers-rhp-back-before-september","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/599649\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Tigers RHP back before September?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Feb. 28, 2026, 11:47 a.m. ET<\/p>\n

LAKELAND, FL \u2013 Detroit Tigers<\/a> right-handed pitcher Jackson Jobe<\/a> offered an encouraging update on his rehab from Tommy John surgery.<\/p>\n

Jobe is going through a long-toss rehab program, progressively throwing longer distances \u2013 he is up to 105 feet, three times a week. And he said could start throwing bullpens off a mound in about six weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it’s like, starting in mid-April, is when I’ll be on the mound,\u201d Jobe told reporters on Saturday, Feb. 28.<\/p>\n

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After he completes the long-toss program, he will start throwing bullpens.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThen it’ll be a few lives and rehab outings,\u201d Jobe said. \u201cI think it’ll just depend on how sharp I’m feeling, how quickly I can get my feel back. But as it stands right now, I feel pretty normal, which is kind of weird, but guess I’ll take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

TRENDING: Kevin McGonigle strengthens case for Opening Day roster with rare feat<\/a><\/p>\n

When a reporter asked if Jobe could be pitching for the Tigers sooner than September, Jobe said: \u201cWhat we have drawn up is quicker than that, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

But he offered no date.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI obviously want to be smart about it,\u201d he said. \u201cI guess I probably shouldn’t say when we have in mind, just in case it doesn’t happen.\u00a0 But I’m feeling pretty optimistic that I will be throwing some important innings this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jobe last pitched for the Tigers on May 28<\/a>; he\u00a0underwent surgery June 16<\/a>\u00a0to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.<\/p>\n

The Tigers have been vague about when he might return, which is not surprising considering every rehab is different.<\/p>\n

“We expect him to be back in 2026,” president of baseball operations\u00a0Scott Harris<\/a>\u00a0said Monday, Dec. 8, at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida. “It’s hard to forecast the actual date, but we expect it to be a boost for our roster in the second half.”<\/p>\n

\"Detroit<\/p>\n

“Knock on wood \u2013 everything’s been going as well as it could,\u201d Jobe said Saturday. \u201cI’m just trying to keep it that way and not change a thing. The program that we have has been great.”<\/p>\n

Jobe \u2013 the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft \u2013 has a locker in the Tigers clubhouse in TigerTown. He has been encouraged by other pitchers who have been through Tommy John \u2013 and had success after the surgery. He also has been getting tips and advice from Justin Verlander, who is teaching him how to work hard, but also how to rest and recover.<\/p>\n

Still, Jobe is bothered about missing the start of the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sucks that I’m not going to be there for the beginning,\u201d Jobe said. \u201cHonestly, it really does suck, but I think we’ll be doing something special towards the end of the year that I can hopefully be a part of and really add to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jobe said that he has not suffered any setbacks in his recovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now,\u201d Jobe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like you are almost out of the tunnel,\u201d a reporter said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFingers crossed,\u201d Jobe said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Contact Jeff Seidel:\u00a0jseidel@freepress.com<\/a>. Follow him on X\u00a0@seideljeff<\/a>.<\/p>\n