The Detroit Tigers recently sent down RHP Keider Montero to Triple-A Toledo, opening the door for a possible return of starting pitcher Reese Olson .
Montero has been very solid for the Tigers this season, pitching bulk innings for a club desperate for starting-caliber pitching. In four games this month, Montero is 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA in 20 1/3 innings pitched. He pitched at least five innings in three of his four appearances.
RHP Dylan Smith has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo. RHP Keider Montero has been optioned to Triple-A.
Additionally, RHP John Brebbia has cleared waivers and been unconditionally released.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) June 20, 2025
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Reese Olson’s Return To The Mound
Reese Olson has been sharp in his first two rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo, with one more rehab start on the way before he makes his return to the Tigers, according to Tigers manager A.J. Hinch .
In his two starts with Triple-A Toledo, Olson has a 2.84 ERA in 6 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts. He has yet to reach four innings a game, something that could be on the horizon in his third and final start with Toledo.
Worth noting: Reese Olson needs another start on his rehab assignment, manager A.J. Hinch said. #Tigers https://t.co/C1uKi9mNwj
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) June 20, 2025
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What This Means for Detroit
Prior to his right finger injury, Olson was solid in his nine starts to open the season. He went 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.171 WHIP. The 25-year-old had been showing immense promise prior to his injury, something the Tigers hope continues heading into the second half of the season.
It’s been a year of career-highs for Reese Olson, for better or worse. His 25.4% strikeout rate is the highest of his major league career, along with his 9.4% walk rate. Nine games is a small sample size, but the walk rate will certainly need to decrease roughly 2% for Olson to continue his dominant stretch of play.
With the season-ending injury to starting pitcher Jackson Jobe , the Tigers need Olson back as soon as possible. While Casey Mize has looked good at times since returning to the starting rotation, it is still taking him some time to get back in the groove of things.
Jack Flaherty hasn’t really been the pitcher the Tigers were hoping for when they re-signed him in the offseason to a two-year contract. In his last two starts, Flaherty has pitched 6 2/3 innings and has allowed 15 earned runs. His ERA on the season is 4.83, and his strikeout-to-walk rate of 3.0 would be the lowest mark of his career since 2023.
Tigers Still Having Success
The Tigers currently hold the best record in baseball (48-29), so they have been just fine even with all the injuries. This is with their first half of the season being a much more difficult schedule than what is presented post-All-Star break.
This team is still in need of another starting pitcher, because right now, it’s hard to figure out who is starting Game 2 of the ALDS. With inconsistencies all across the board with Flaherty, Mize, and Olson, the Tigers’ brass has to be aggressive at the trade deadline.
The Tigers have a very strong case to win the American League pennant without making any moves, but why take the risk? As we know in all sports, everyone is available for the right price. The Tigers currently have one of the best farm systems in baseball, too, and it would be foolish not to dangle every prospect outside of Max Clark . Prospects for parades is the name of the game.
Main Photo Credit: © Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
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