Reese Olson is coming back to Detroit.
Only then will the Detroit Tigers decide whether or not Olson, the second-best starting pitcher on the roster, sticks around in MLB for his next start. He has completed two rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo in recovery from a right shoulder strain , including three scoreless innings Tuesday in Omaha, Nebraska.
Olson, 25, is flying from Omaha to Detroit on Wednesday for a meeting with manager A.J. Hinch. After that, Olson will throw a bullpen in front of pitching coach Chris Fetter and the other pitching coaches, possibly Thursday.
"We'll determine what's next for him, either another start in Triple-A or another plan," Hinch said before Tuesday's game. "I haven't seen him in 10 days, so I'd like to sit down and see what he feels like after his first couple of outings."
TOP STARTER: How Tigers plan to use ace Tarik Skubal in postseason race
In two rehab starts, Olson has tossed five scoreless innings on two hits and two walks with six strikeouts across five innings. He threw 39 pitches in his first start and 45 pitches in his second start.
He racked up five of six strikeouts in his second start.
"All that talk is going to happen," Hinch said, when asked about the pros and cons of three shorter starts compared to one more rehab start and two longer starts. "I'm not really dialed in on it right now to comment on it. But all things are on the table."
Olson had a 3.23 ERA in 19 starts before the shoulder injury. He hasn't pitched for the Tigers since July 20.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ) ]
Wenceel Pérez still rehabbing
Although Olson seems ready to return from his rehab assignment, outfielder Wenceel Pérez will stay in Triple-A Toledo as he continues his recovery from a left oblique strain .
"Wenceel is still continuing to play," Hinch said.
NEXT UP: Tigers promote Jackson Jobe to Triple-A Toledo, opening door for 2025 MLB debut
Pérez, 24, has already played in six games for the Mud Hens, hitting .053 (1-for-19) with three walks and eight strikeouts in 22 plate appearances. He failed to record a hit in his first 17 at-bats before hitting a two-run home run in Tuesday's sixth inning.
"It's kind of his first taste of success," Hinch said.
Pérez hasn't played for the Tigers since Aug. 9.
Javier Báez reports to Comerica Park
Shortstop Javier Báez , who underwent right hip surgery last week, has been reporting to Comerica Park for daily rehab — without any baseball activities. The Tigers still haven't shared a timeline for his return to games in 2025.
Right now, Báez isn't able to drive because of the surgery.
"I think he's the first guy here," Hinch said. "He gets picked up and brought down to Comerica. He gets his rehab done, and then he's usually out by the time the rest of the group gets here. He's first on the ledger when it comes to getting his rehab done. The daily therapy of getting him going, I don't know the intimate details of it, but I know it's daily and it'll be at Comerica until the end of the season."
Two starters scratched
The Tigers scratched catcher Dillon Dingler (replaced by Jake Rogers) and first baseman Spencer Torkelson (replaced by Andy Ibáñez) from Tuesday's game.
Both players are suffering from an illness.
The Tigers have 14 players dealing with the same illness, picked up during the West Coast trip.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple , Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Next start for Reese Olson in MLB? Here's when you might see young Detroit Tigers righty
Local News
Comments / 0