Detroit Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, a major setback that will sideline him for the remainder of the current season and potentially all of 2026. This news was initially reported by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Currently on the 15-day injured list, Jobe will be moved to the 60-day IL when the Tigers require a roster adjustment.
This development is disappointing for both Jobe and the Tigers organization. Selected as the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, Jobe has been regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. He made his MLB debut late last year and played a crucial role in the Tigers’ postseason efforts at just 21 years old, making two regular-season appearances and two more in the playoffs.
At the start of this season, Jobe was included in the team’s rotation. However, he struggled slightly with a 4.22 earned run average and had a 17.9% strikeout rate along with a 12.4% walk rate over ten starts. Concerns about his health arose as his velocity decreased in his final start prior to his placement on the injured list with a flexor strain. The decision for surgery indicates that his issues were more serious than initially thought.
Tommy John surgery typically involves a recovery period of 14 to 18 months, which means Jobe is likely to miss significant playing time, including nearly two full seasons during crucial developmental years. The Tigers will now look to adjust their pitching plans without him, relying on current rotation members like Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, and Sawyer Gipson-Long. Alex Cobb is on a rehab assignment and could soon contribute, while other pitchers like Reese Olson and Ty Madden are also expected to return from injury later this year.
The team will have to evaluate their rotation depth as they approach the 2026 season, with possible changes in store as the trade deadline approaches.
Despite this unfortunate setback for Jobe, the Tigers have a talented group of pitchers in their pipeline and can look to adapt as they work to build a competitive team in the coming years. This resilience may open up new opportunities for their young roster to develop and shine.