Getty
Reese Olson delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the top of the first inning at Comerica Park on April 05, 2025.
The Detroit Tigers received a significant blow to their pitching plans on Tuesday when the club announced that right-hander Reese Olson will miss the entire 2026 season following shoulder surgery. Olson underwent a right shoulder labral repair on February 2, a procedure that will sideline him as he rehabs and works toward a return in 2027.
Olson, 26, had been expected to be a key part of Detroit’s rotation this season after showing promise last year. Instead, he’ll begin the season on the 60-day injured list with no immediate timetable for return beyond next year.
A Tough Turn After Early Promise
The shoulder issue stretches back to last season, when Olson hit the injured list in late July with what was originally described as a strain. At the time, there was optimism he could return during the postseason, but those hopes faded as the Tigers monitored his recovery.
In 2025, Olson posted a respectable 3.15 ERA in 13 starts, striking out 65 batters over 68 2/3 innings before landing on the injured list. Prior to that, he had carved out a career ERA of 3.60 with 269 strikeouts over 284 2/3 major league innings – strong numbers for a young starter still finding consistency at the Major League level.
His absence removes a dependable arm from the Tigers’ plans and marks at least the second straight year Olson has missed significant time due to shoulder trouble. The surgery and long layoff underscore the fragility of pitching health, especially for young arms developing in the rigorous major league schedule.
Impact on Tigers’ Rotation and 2026 Outlook
Obtained from the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2021 trade deadline, Olson’s absence forces Detroit to re-think its rotation strategy. Before Olson was ruled out, the Tigers had hoped he’d slot comfortably into a mid-rotation role behind ace Tarik Skubal. With Olson sidelined, Detroit’s rotation now leans more heavily on a mix of veterans and depth options.
Already this offseason, the Tigers added veteran arms, including Justin Verlander in a one-year deal and Framber Valdez on a multi-year contract, to bolster their staff and offset injuries like Olson’s.
Behind Skubal, Valdez, Verlander, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize, Detroit still has a solid projected top five. But losing Olson reduces margin for error, especially if any other injury arises.
What This Means for Olson’s Career and Tigers’ Future
For Olson, the focus now shifts entirely to recovery. Labral repair surgery on a throwing shoulder is a significant procedure, and rehab will be closely monitored by the Tigers’ medical staff. The organization remains hopeful that the extended timeline will allow him to return at full strength in 2027 without recurring setbacks.
From a team perspective, Detroit’s handling of Olson’s surgery illustrates a long-term mindset. Rather than rush him back and risk re-injury, the club opted for a full surgical solution that delays his availability but improves the chances of a durable return.
Top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe is already on the 60-day injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2025, with an expected return sometime in the second half of 2026. Veteran right-hander Beau Brieske continues his offseason throwing progression following a right forearm strain, while Ty Madden is rehabbing a rotator cuff strain and is aiming to be fully ready for Spring Training.
The Tigers’ rotation will still draw headlines this season, but Olson’s absence is a reminder of how unpredictable pitching health can be.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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