Detroit Sees Early Promise in Tarik Skubal Trade

Published November 7, 2026. The Tigers have seen an early return from the August 2 trade that sent Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers: River Ryan reached Detroit for two starts in September, while Zyhir Hope and Brady Smith continued developing in the minors. Detroit received all three prospects with Skubal nearing free agency.

Ryan had missed the 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and was sidelined by a hamstring strain when the trade occurred. After two brief appearances for Triple-A Toledo, he kept Washington from scoring during his first Detroit outing on September 21, which lasted three innings. He gave up two runs over 1⅓ innings in his next start, bringing his major-league total to 4⅓ innings with six strikeouts. He could compete for a rotation place in 2027, including alongside Reese Olson, if he shows he can handle longer outings.

Hope batted .287 with 29 home runs and 26 stolen bases across 124 Double-A games for both organizations. After joining Detroit, he hit .269 with six homers in 30 games for Erie and continued producing power in the Double-A playoffs. A possible Triple-A stint in 2027 would test him against more advanced pitching. He was selected as an Arizona Fall League Fall Star, but the Tigers intended to wrap up his fall activity by October, so he was set to skip the showcase.

Smith, 21, recorded 118 strikeouts and 34 walks over 80⅔ innings across three minor-league affiliates, with a 4.24 ERA. He spent only 6⅓ innings at High-A before an early exit in his second start and a stint on the injured list; he returned September 21. Detroit’s next evaluation will include whether he can stay healthy, build his workload and sustain his strikeouts as he advances.