Reese

Olson

The Tigers were holding back just a little when they indicated that Olson might not be ready for Opening Day. This is really unfortunate, but it does explain why the Tigers felt they needed Justin Verlander on top of signing Framber Valdez. Olson was limited to 13 starts by shoulder issues last season. The 26-year-old has a 3.60 ERA in 53 starts and three relief appearances since debuting in 2023. His absence means it’s safe to pencil in a Tigers rotation of Tarik Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Verlander. Drew Anderson, Troy Melton and Keider Montero are next in line.

Olson strained his shoulder in July and had resumed throwing in December, but it now appears that he may not be ready to start the season. If Olson were to be delayed to start the season, that would mean that Drew Anderson and Troy Melton would battle for the fifth starter spot in Detroit.

Olson hit the injured list with a shoulder strain in late July and never made it back in time for Detroit’s postseason run. The 26-year-old received a PRP injection and was able to avoid undergoing offseason surgery. The hope is that he’ll be a full-go in time for spring training after posting a career-best 3.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 65/25 K/BB ratio across 68 2/3 innings over 13 starts this past season.

Olson previously told reporters he was aiming to make it back to Detroit’s rotation for the postseason, but that seems to be a bit optimistic given how much progress he would need to make in the next week or so. The 26-year-old hit the shelf back in early August with a right shoulder strain that required a PRP injection.

Olson expressed optimism earlier this week that he’ll make it back to Detroit’s postseason rotation after managing to avoid season-ending surgery. The 26-year-old righty won’t pitch again during the regular season, but he could be back on a big-league mound again if the Tigers make a deep postseason push.

Olson told reporters Monday that he received a positive that he won’t require shoulder surgery and believes it’s possible for him to make it back for the postseason. There’s nothing definitive regarding an exact timetable, and he’s still expected to miss the rest of the regular season. It certainly sounds like he’ll be an option for Detroit at some point during the playoffs, especially if they make a deep postseason run.

Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris announced Monday that Olson will miss the remainder of the season. The injury revelation came shortly after acquiring starter Chris Paddack in a trade with the division-rival Twins. Olson is unlikely to return before the end of the regular season, though there’s still a chance he could be available for the postseason. The 25-year-old right-hander finishes with a career-best 3.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 65/25 K/BB ratio across 68 2/3 innings (13 starts), and can be safely dropped in all redraft formats.

The right-hander walked two and struck out four batters on the night. He had shut the Blue Jays out on three hits heading to the fifth inning, but after allowing a one-out walk to George Springer, the wheels fell off the train. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked an RBI double, Addison Barger was walked intentionally and Ernie Clement followed with a go-ahead three-run homer. Joey Loperfido then clobbered a solo homer to chase Olson from the game. The 25-year-old hurler got nine whiffs on 95 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 27 percent. He’ll attempt to bounce back as he brings a 3.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 65/25 K/BB ratio (68 2/3 innings) into Tuesday’s battle against the Diamondbacks.

The 25-year-old hurler scattered just two hits and one walk on the evening. The only real threat against him came in the third inning as the Rangers put runners at the corners with only one out, but Olson rallied to get Josh Smith on a fly ball to left field and Corey Seager on strikes to end the threat. He got 13 whiffs on 90 pitches on the night, registering a CSW of 30 percent. He’ll carry a stellar 2.71 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 61/23 K/BB ratio (63 innings) into Wednesday’s showdown against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

No word yet on the scheduled starter for Saturday, though it has been confirmed that Tarik Skubal will take the mound for Sunday’s series finale. Casey Mize seems the most likely to slot in on Saturday with Jack Flaherty and Keider Montero rounding out the rotation against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Monday and Tuesday.