Tigers ace Tarik Skubal reportedly scratched from Monday's start against Red Sox for 'precautionary' reasons

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal won’t take the mound as expected Monday. Skubal was reportedly scratched from his start for “precautionary” reasons, per baseball insider Jon Heyman.

Skubal, 29, was set to square off against Boston Red Sox young left Payton Tolle during Monday’s contest. The Tigers have not announced Skubal’s replacement for the start at this time.

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The team has also not revealed the nature of Skubal’s injury.

The news comes days after Skubal experienced a possible left-arm injury during his most recent start. During his seven-inning, seven strikeout performance against the Atlanta Braves on April 29, the lefty called a meeting on the mound after throwing a pitch and shaking his left arm.

Skubal was examined by team officials, but said he was good to remain in the game. The incident occurred during the seventh inning. Skubal struck out the side following the injury scare.

After the game, he said he wasn’t sure what he experienced on the mound, per MLB.com.

“I don’t really know. Cramp is probably the wrong word,” Skubal said. “We’ve heard the word zinger, I guess, but it wasn’t really like a nervy thing. I don’t know.”

He was able to get in his usual side sessions ahead of Monday’s game, calling it “a good week of work.” As of Monday morning, it seemed as though Skubal planned to pitch in the contest.

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Skubal is in the midst of yet another dominant season. Through seven starts, he has a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings. He’s won the American League Cy Young award in each of the past two seasons and was expected to contend for the award again this season.

Skubal, considered one of the best pitchers in the game, is in the final year of his rookie contract with the Tigers, and is expected to be a free agent at the end of the season.

While the Tigers have not confirmed the news, the team did announce Monday’s game time was moved up due to inclement weather. It’s unclear whether the forecast played a role in Skubal being scratched from his start.

This story will be updated.