The Detroit Tigers have placed starting pitcher Reese Olson on the 15-day injured list with right ring finger inflammation.
Olson allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings in his last start Saturday in Toronto. He likely could have pitched another inning but exited after 85 pitches due to the finger issue.
Olson expressed confidence after the game that the injury wasn’t serious, but the Tigers opted for what is expected to be a short-term IL stint, similar to last week’s move with Casey Mize.
To take Olson’s spot on the active roster, the Tigers recalled right-handed reliever Chase Lee from Triple-A Toledo.
As it stands, the Tigers plan to use Keider Montero on Monday, Tarik Skubal on Tuesday, and then employ a bullpen game on Wednesday in St. Louis, the Detroit News reported. However, weather could be a factor on Monday and possibly Tuesday, so those plans remain in flux.
Tigers -1.5 runline is listed at -105 on BetMGM for Tuesday’s game versus the Cardinals. Our complete BetMGM Sportsbook review shows you how to sign up and navigate through their app.
For now, Jack Flaherty is slated to start Thursday in Detroit against the Cleveland Guardians, which was Olson’s next scheduled start.
Montero’s next turn in the rotation would come Saturday, by which time Mize should be ready to return from the IL. The Tigers could keep Montero in the rotation in Olson’s slot or turn to another option.
Olson, 25, is 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA (2.94 FIP) in nine starts (48 2/3 innings) this year. He’s struck out 51 and walked 19.
Lee, 26, has already bounced between Toledo and Detroit multiple times in his rookie season. In eight appearances in the big leagues, Lee has a 1.00 ERA over nine innings with four walks and nine strikeouts.
TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (39)
Left-handed pitchers (5): Sean Guenther, Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn, Brant Hurter, Tarik Skubal.
Right-handed pitchers (16): John Brebbia, Beau Brieske, Alex Cobb*, Jack Flaherty, Jason Foley**, Brenan Hanifee, Jackson Jobe, Tommy Kahnle, Chase Lee, Matt Manning, Tyler Mattison**, Casey Mize*, Keider Montero, Reese Olson*, Tyler Owens, Will Vest.
Catchers (3): Dillon Dingler, Tomás Nido, Jake Rogers*.
Infielders (9): Javier Báez, Jace Jung, Andy Ibáñez, Colt Keith, Ryan Kreidler, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres.
Outfielders (6): Akil Baddoo, Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Brewer Hicklen, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Matt Vierling*.
*On 10-day or 15-day injured list
**On minor-league injured list
Right-handed pitchers Alex Lange (right lat strain and surgery), Sawyer Gipson-Long (Tommy John surgery and hip), José Urquidy (Tommy John surgery) and Ty Madden (rotator cuff strain); and outfielders Parker Meadows (right upper arm inflammation) and Wenceel Pérez (lower back inflammation) are on the 60-day injured list and do not count against the 40-man roster.