Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Reese Olson will undergo surgery and miss the entire 2026 season, the team announced Wednesday. Olson had been experiencing shoulder issues and underwent a right labral repair on February 2, according to the team.
The move comes after Olson was placed on the injured list in mid-July of 2025 and despite seven months of rehabilitation, the shoulder did not respond sufficiently to avoid surgical intervention. Olson’s absence is a significant setback for the Tigers’ pitching staff, particularly after his promising performance in 2024.
To create space on the 40-man roster, the Tigers have transferred both Olson and Jackson Jobe to the 60-day injured list. Jobe is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in 2025 and is not expected to return until at least the latter half of the 2026 season. The roster moves coincide with the official signing of free agent Framber Valdez and the agreement reached with veteran pitcher Justin Verlander, who will join the team on a one-year contract.
The Tigers have been active in addressing their pitching needs this offseason, bringing in established veterans to offset the loss of Olson and the continued recovery of Jobe. Scott Harris, the Tigers’ general manager, has prioritized bolstering the pitching rotation ahead of the 2026 season.