Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal is trending towards a return on Thursday, manager A.J. Hinch revealed to MLB Network Radio on Tuesday.

The left-hander exited Friday’s 8-2 loss against the Miami Marlins after experiencing tightness on his left side in his rib cage area. However, the pitcher told the Detroit Free Press that his return for bullpen workouts Monday went well, saying, “Everything felt good.”

Hinch backed up that assertion.

“The sight of Tarik Skubal throwing off the mound was really awesome,” Hinch said. “He threw his normal bullpen. We’re going day by day. I’ll check in with him today. We’ll continue to inch towards his next start. Right now, that’s penciled in for Thursday.”

Skubal, 28, is coming off back-to-back All-Star appearances and won the American League Cy

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