Story by
Reese Olson, Detroit Tigers' No. 2 starter, out for regular season with shoulder strain
- Story by
- Reese Olson, Detroit Tigers' No. 2 starter, out for regular season with shoulder strain
Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season with a right shoulder strain that he reported during his latest bullpen session.
He might not pitch again until 2026.
Advertisement
But the Tigers are leaving the door open for Olson to return in the 2025 postseason.
"We have some more tests scheduled for tomorrow before we can fully announce everything that happened," Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Monday, July 28, referencing further evaluation set for Tuesday, July 29, "but the MRI revealed enough to rule him out for the regular season."
LET'S MAKE A DEAL: Tigers trade for Chris Paddack, Randy Dobnak from Twins
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (45) pitches in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Olson, 25, had a 3.15 ERA with 25 walks and 65 strikeouts across 68⅔ innings in 13 starts in the 2025 season. When healthy, Olson proved himself as the Tigers' No. 2 starter behind reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal .
Advertisement
He has a 3.60 ERA in his three-year MLB career, spanning 56 games (53 starts).
Earlier in 2025, Olson missed nearly two months with right ring finger inflammation — sidelined from mid-May to early July. He also missed nearly three months with a right shoulder strain in 2024 — out from late-July to mid-September.
It's been two years in a row with a right shoulder injury.
"I feel for Reese," manager A.J. Hinch said. "I see his routines. I see him work. I see him throw. I see him dominate. ... There's no reason why he is getting hit with the injury bug more than anybody else. It's a tough blow to a rotation that sets up great."
Advertisement
ANOTHER INJURY: Tigers place Parker Meadows on injured list with quad strain; Andy Ibáñez recalled
Olson made his last start Thursday, July 24, in an 11-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts across 5⅔ innings.
He threw 95 pitches.
Olson then completed a bullpen session Saturday, July 26, which is when he reported right shoulder discomfort. An MRI revealed it was a shoulder strain.
"I don't know what comes of the rest of the year for him," Hinch said, when asked about Olson's postseason availability. "I think that's what the next couple of days are for."
Advertisement
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ) ]
After Olson's injury, the Tigers traded for right-hander Chris Paddack from the Minnesota Twins before Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Comerica Park.
The Paddack trade — sparked by the Olson injury — happened just three days before the trade deadline, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 31.
Paddack, who has a 4.95 ERA in 21 starts, replaces Olson in the starting rotation. For now, the five-man rotation is comprised of Paddack, Skubal, Jack Flaherty , Casey Mize and Troy Melton .
Advertisement
Entering Monday, the Tigers' rotation ranked sixth among the 30 MLB teams with a 3.58 ERA.
"It's hard losing Reese Olson ," Hinch said. "He's a huge, huge guy that I trust."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts .
Order your copy of "Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Tigers!" by the Free Press at Tigers125.PictorialBook.com .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Reese Olson injury update: Tigers starter ruled out for regular season
