Reese

Olson

Olson exited with a one-run lead, only to watch the Rays score four times in the sixth. Maybe the Tigers could have stuck with Olson for a little longer, but he was at 84 pitches in his second start back from the IL. He hasn’t been allowed to throw more than 94 pitches in a start this year, though that obviously didn’t prevent him from hurting his finger in May. Olson finishes the first half 4-3 with a 2.95 ERA. Hopefully, the lack of wear on his arm will help him stay strong into September.

Olson struck out three batters on the evening while issuing only one base on balls. He struggled a bit his first time through the order and served up a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the opening inning, but he ultimately settled in nicely and kept the Guardians off the board the rest of the way. He threw just 52 of his 89 pitches for strikes, generating 13 swings and misses while posting a CSW of 30 percent. He’ll carry a 2.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 54/20 K/BB ratio (53 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Rays.

Olson is activated and will start Friday’s game against the Guardians. The 25-year-old will be making his first appearance sins May 17, but he’s been an effective option when healthy with a 2.96 ERA through 48 2/3 innings over nine starts.

Olson was expected to make his next start in the big league rotation after striking out five in four innings on 74 pitches in his Triple-A rehab start last Wednesday. With Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck) landing on the IL today, that need for Olson to come back got even greater. Even in a potentially solid matchup against the Guardians, we’d rather keep Olson on the bench for his first outing off the IL. He relies on command of his changeup and slider to be successful and recovering from a finger injury could mean that the feel of those pitches is a little off in his first few starts. He’s worth scooping if he’s available in your league, but he’s a risky start this weekend.

Hinch added that Olson got through Wednesday’s 74-pitch rehab tune-up without any issues, but the club wants to have him re-evaluated later this week following another bullpen session to ensure he’s 100 percent ready before clearing him to return. Barring something unexpected, he should be back in Detroit’s rotation mix at some point early next week.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters Olson could return as early as July 1 against the Nationals, if that outing goes well. The 25-year-old righty has been out since mid-May with right ring finger inflammation. This will be his third, and likely final, rehab start.

The 25-year-old hurler threw 58 pitches his last time out at Triple-A Toledo on Thursday and they want him to be stretched out a bit more before jumping back into the big league rotation. Olson has been shelved since mid-May due to inflammation in his right ring finger. That means Keider Montero and Sawyer Gipson-Long should stick around for at least another week in the club’s rotation.

Olson put his changeup back into the mix last night after avoiding throwing it previously because of the inflammation in his right ring finger. He might need one more rehab start to keep stretching out after throwing 58 pitches in this one, but he’s close to returning to Detroit’s rotation.

The 25-year-old right-hander has been shelved since mid-May due to inflammation in his right ring finger. He should only need one or two tune-ups in the minor leagues before he’s ready to jump back into the Tigers’ rotation.

Olson is expected to begin throwing his changeup again during the session, which is the final obstacle he needs to clear before he’s ready to rejoin Detroit’s rotation mix. The 25-year-old righty might need a rehab start since he’s been on the shelf since mid-May due to finger inflammation, but he’s close to making it back.