The 2026 MLB season is taking a troubling turn for Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. The reigning NL Cy Young winner, who dazzled last year with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts, has seen his production slide over the past month. In July, he surrendered four home runs and posted a 6.25 ERA. On Tuesday against the Miami Marlins, he allowed just one earned run but was yanked after only 65 pitches.
The bigger red flag? His velocity. Skenes' fastest pitch on Tuesday was 96.5 mph, and he averaged a career-low 95.7 mph on his fastball, per ESPN. For the season, his fastball is sitting at 96.8 mph—a noticeable dip from last year's 98.1 mph average. That drop has set off alarm bells across the MLB community.
Fans and analysts alike are voicing their concerns. Eric Hubbs of Barstool Sports tweeted, "Pulled after 65 pitches and the velo was down big time. This could be very bad." One fan bluntly commented, "Dude's arm is already shot and he's 24." Another added, "Getting him checked immediately is the only thing that matters right now."
This isn't the first time Skenes has faced speculation about his durability. Earlier this season, his girlfriend Livvy Dunne made headlines while supporting him at Yankees Stadium, but the focus now is squarely on his arm. Some fans even wonder if the pressure of being a Cy Young winner and the constant spotlight is taking a toll.
Despite the panic, Pirates manager Don Kelly offered a reassuring update. He said Skenes' early exit wasn't injury-related, and Skenes echoed that sentiment: "[Kelly] walked me through everything, and it made sense. I wish I could have gone more, but it kinda is what it is."
The team is expected to give Skenes his next start on either Aug. 16 against the Boston Red Sox or Aug. 17 against the Detroit Tigers. If he takes the mound as scheduled, it could ease some of the anxiety. But with his velocity trending downward, the question remains: Is this just a rough patch, or a sign of something more serious?
In a season where the Pirates are already fighting for a wild-card spot, the trade deadline buzz around Pittsburgh and Chicago has been intense. But no move matters more than keeping Skenes healthy. As one fan put it, "If he loses his heat, the Pirates lose their ace."
For now, all eyes will be on Skenes' next outing. The baseball world is holding its breath, hoping the 24-year-old phenom can rediscover his signature power. Because when Skenes is at his best, he's not just a pitcher—he's a showstopper. And that's something no one wants to see fade away.
