Injuries & Moves: Olson activated off IL; Vanasco optioned
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Sept. 16: RHP Reese Olson activated from 15-day injured list; RHP Ricky Vanasco optioned to Triple-A Toledo
Olson was activated Monday for the opener against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium as Detroit continued its push for the postseason. Olson, who hadn’t made a start since July 20, was on a limited pitch count/workload against Kansas City after throwing just 45 pitches in his final rehab appearance for Toledo on Tuesday.
“Just as many outs as he can give us. Not going in with any preset hope, it’s just more [about] reading the game and seeing where he is at physically,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He had a couple rehab starts, so it’s obviously shorter than a normal start, but the good version of him can get quick outs, so if that happens, we will have to make that decision in the middle part of the game. We will see how that goes from an endurance standpoint and take what he can give us.”
In 19 games before his right shoulder strain, Olson had a 3.23 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 103 innings. The 25-year-old righty had gone at least five innings in 15 of his 19 starts. In a corresponding move, the Tigers optioned Vanasco, who tossed two scoreless frames with Detroit after he was recalled on Sept. 1.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
SS/2B Kevin McGonigle (right hamate fracture; No. 3 on Tigers' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
McGonigle is completing daily rehab following hamate surgery on Aug. 15. He sustained the fracture fouling off a pitch on Aug. 10 at High-A West Michigan.
In his first full season, the 37th overall pick of last year's MLB Draft put together a .309/.401/.452 slash line with 25 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases over 60 games for Single-A Lakeland and 14 for West Michigan. He also drew 46 walks compared to 28 strikeouts. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
2B Hao-Yu Lee (lumbar spine inflammation; No. 8 on Tigers' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
Lee, who injured his lower back while hitting during a game on Aug. 15 with Double-A Erie, continues to rehab the injury daily. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
INF Javier Báez (right hip surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Báez had season-ending arthroscopic right hip surgery on Sept. 3 and has returned to Detroit for rehab work at Comerica Park. The Tigers do not yet have a clear answer whether he will be ready for next Spring Training. (Last updated: Sept. 10)
RHP Brendan White (right radial nerve injury)
Expected return: TBD
White underwent a hydrodissection procedure on Aug. 20, similar to the procedure Beau Brieske had to address his nerve issues last year. He began a throwing progression the week of Sept. 2. The Tigers recalled White from Double-A Erie and placed him on the Major League injured list to open a 40-man roster spot for Kerry Carpenter’s return. (Last updated: Sept. 4)
RHP Alex Faedo (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: 2025
Faedo received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder, according to the Tigers, after reporting lingering shoulder soreness before and after a stint on the paternity list in late August. The Tigers transferred Faedo to the 60-day injured list on Aug. 30, having determined he will not be ready in time to pitch again this season. However, he is expected to have a full, healthy offseason. (Last updated: Aug. 30)
RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long (left hip, right forearm)
Expected return: 2025
Gipson-Long underwent left hip labral repair surgery on July 9 after returning to Comerica Park for a checkup with doctors three months after his Tommy John surgery. He has been rehabbing daily in Lakeland, Fla.
The Tigers transferred him to the 60-day IL on May 7 to open a 40-man roster spot. (Last updated: July 9)