February 11: Olson tells Chris McCosky of the Detroit News that he re-injured his shoulder last October, a few months after the initial injury. He knew that he could have had surgery then, but he would have missed the entire 2026 season even if he went under the knife right away, so he chose to try to recuperate over the next few months, thinking that there was nothing he could throw at him. Apparently, the rehab process didn’t prove to be enough, and now he’s headed back to the mound in 2027.
February 10: Right hand tiger Reese Olson performed a year after the labral repair of the right shoulder, the team announced. Olson was placed on the 60-day IL, along with another right-hander Jackson Jobe. The move will open up 40-man roster spots for free agent additions Framber Valdez again Justin Verlander.
Olson’s 2025 season ended in late July due to a sprained right shoulder. There was talk that he might not be ready for Opening Day, but there was no indication that he would be sidelined for long. His surgery went down in Feb. 2, according to the group’s announcement. Job’s move to IL for 60 days was expected. He had Tommy John surgery in June and will miss most, if not all, of next season.
The Valdez and Verlander signings make more sense following Olson’s revelation. Detroit will now have Valdez again Tarik Skubal top of the rotation, followed by Verlander, Jack Flaherty, again Casey Mize. Troy Melton will serve as a depth option. Jobe may join the mix at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old Olson has been a reliable member of Detroit’s rotation since his debut in 2023. He compiled a 3.60 ERA with decent strikeout and walk numbers in 56 big league games. Injuries have been a major limiting factor. Olson missed most of the second half of 2024 with a shoulder injury. He missed time in the middle of last season with finger inflammation. Olson made it back just four games after a finger problem before going down with a recent shoulder problem.
Detroit acquired Olson from the Brewers outright Daniel Norris by the 2021 trade deadline. He finished that season in Double-A in the Tigers system. Olson increased his strikeout rate by 33.1% in the 2022 iteration. He earned a promotion to Triple-A in 2023, where he continued to miss at-bats at an above-average clip. Olson’s 6.38 ERA with Toledo did not suggest a callup was imminent, although his FIP was more than a drop. He made 18 starts for Detroit that season, including a standout September in which he allowed five earned runs in five appearances.
Olson couldn’t replicate the strikeout he showed in the minor leagues, despite two swinging and missing pitches. The righty and slider both had strikeout rates above 42% in 2024 and 2025. Olson posted a similar 12.7% swing strike rate over the past two seasons. The arsenal has not translated into punchouts. Olson was right around league average in strikeout rate at the MLB level. He has yet to reach a hit per inning in any season with the Tigers.
Photo courtesy of Junfu Han, Imagn Images
