Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal already is playing catch, just nine days after undergoing elbow surgery, the New York Post reported Friday.

The left-hander underwent an arthroscopic procedure on May 6 to remove loose bodies in his pitching elbow. His original estimated recovery time of two months could be shortened to six weeks, per the report.

Skubal, 29, experienced discomfort in his April 29 start against the Atlanta Braves in a 4-3 loss. He gave up two runs on five hits in seven innings, striking out seven. He did not figure into the decision.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner is 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA in seven starts this season. He has struck out 45 batters and walked only six in 43 1/3 innings.

Skubal has a 57-39 record and a 3.06 ERA in seven seasons and 144 games (141 starts) for the Tigers since 2020, striking out 934 batters while walking 178.