Tigers Announce Season-Ending News Before Mariners Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jun 5, 2026 3:48 PM ET

The Detroit Tigers have had one of the most injury-ravaged seasons in recent memory. Entering Friday, the Tigers sit fourth in the American League Central at 25-38, one of the worst records in the AL, and continue to deal with multiple setbacks across their roster.

The most notable absence has been reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers ace underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow on May 4 to remove a loose body and has been working his way back to full recovery.

While the organization continues to monitor Skubal’s progress, more bad news arrived Friday.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch (14)© Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Ahead of Detroit's series opener against the Mariners, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters that shortstop Trey Sweeney will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and miss the remainder of the 2026 season (via The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen).

Sweeney entered spring training with a shoulder strain and attempted to avoid surgery through injections and rehabilitation. However, the shoulder showed little improvement over the past four months, leaving surgery as the only viable option.

SS Trey Sweeney will also undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. He is out for the season
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) June 5, 2026

As a result, Sweeney will finish the season without appearing in a major league game. He opened the year on the injured list and never returned.

The loss further weakens an infield already dealing with significant injury concerns. Javier Báez remains sidelined after rolling his right ankle on April 28 and has yet to make the progress the club hoped for following a specialist consultation. Outfielder Parker Meadows is also recovering from a fractured left radius.

With Sweeney ruled out for the season, Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry are expected to take on larger infield roles, while Detroit continues to rely on its utility depth to cover multiple positions.

The Tigers will try to regroup Friday when they open a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Seattle enters the matchup at 33-30, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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