CHICAGO — Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson, on the injured list since May 19 with inflammation in his right ring finger, received an injection Monday to help reduce the swelling.
The injection has paused his throwing program for a few days. He is scheduled to resume playing catch on Thursday.
The procedure suggests Olson’s return is not imminent. Manager A.J. Hinch has said Olson will likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the rotation.
“He’s doing fine,“ Hinch said. ”(The injection) sounds awful, but it’s not as bad as it sounds,” A.J. Hinch said.
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.
Keider Montero, who filled in for Casey Mize during his brief IL stint last month, has taken Olson’s spot in the rotation.
The other vacant spot, created by Jackson Jobe’s recent injury, will go — at least for now — to right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long.
Hinch said he informed White Sox manager Will Venable that Gipson-Long will start Wednesday, though the move won’t be official until the Tigers complete the necessary transactions.
Gipson-Long is currently on the 60-day injured list, so the Tigers will need to make corresponding moves on both the active and 40-man rosters before the game.
Gipson-Long, 27, played college ball at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., and was drafted in the sixth round by the Minnesota Twins in 2019.
He was traded to the Tigers for reliever Michael Fulmer at the deadline in 2022.
Before undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, Gipson-Long impressed the Tigers with four late-season starts in 2023, posting a 2.70 ERA while striking out 26 and walking eight in 20 innings.
After Gipson-Long and Mize wrap up the four-game series in Chicago, Hinch said Tarik Skubal, Montero, and Jack Flaherty are lined up to start Friday through Sunday against the Chicago Cubs at Comerica Park.
TIGERS’ ROTATION
Wednesday at Sox: RHP Sawyer Gipson-LongThursday at Sox: RHP Casey MizeFriday vs. Cubs: LHP Tarik SkubalSaturday vs. Cubs: RHP Keider MonteroSunday vs. Cubs: RHP Jack Flaherty