Olson out for 2026 season after shoulder surgery
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LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers’ flurry of late-offseason pitcher signings had a purpose: Filling in for an injury. Reese Olson, whose 2025 season ended in July due to a shoulder strain, underwent surgery last week to repair his right labrum and will miss the upcoming season, according to the team.
It’s brutal news for a talented young pitcher who has flashed dazzling stuff over his three-year Major League career, but it’s softened by the addition of All-Star Framber Valdez -- whose deal became official Tuesday -- and the return of no-doubt Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. Olson was placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday to open a 40-man roster spot along with Jackson Jobe, who underwent Tommy John surgery last summer but has a chance to return to the mound later this season.
The Tigers had been optimistic that Olson would be ready for Spring Training, having started a return-to-play throwing progression in December after rehabbing his shoulder without surgery over the fall. He had a setback, which led to another opinion and the worst-case scenario. Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery on Olson last week.
Olson posted a 1.7 bWAR season last year despite just 13 starts. He was on his way to a breakout season with a career-best 3.15 ERA before he went on the injured list with the shoulder strain in late July. The Tigers moved quickly to replace him with veterans then, too, trading for Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton. Neither addition worked out. With more time to respond, the Tigers responded with bigger moves over the past several days.
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With Olson out, the Tigers are on track to open the season with a fairly veteran rotation, with Valdez and Verlander joining Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize. Drew Anderson, who signed a one-year deal in December after starring in KBO last season, will likely serve as a veteran swingman. Troy Melton, whose impressive rookie season last year culminated in a final eight innings of one-run ball during Detroit’s AL Division Series against Seattle, is another depth option who could return to Detroit’s bullpen or open the season at Triple-A Toledo to stay stretched out.