TheDetroit Tigerscurrently hold the best record in Major League Baseball (31-17) largely because of their excellent pitching. Yet for the second time in 10 days, Detroit put one of their top starters on the injured list. Right-handerReese Olsonwent on the 15-day IL with right ring finger inflammation,the team announcedon Monday night. He joins Casey Mize, who went on the ILon May 11with a left hamstring strain. In nine starts, Olson has a 2.96 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings. He's one of three Tigers starting pitchers to have an ERA under 3.00 so far this season, along with Mize andAmerican League Cy Young Award winnerTarik Skubal. Olson, 25, left his start on Saturday after six innings with what he described as "maybe a little cramp" that caused discomfort when throwing his changeup. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters that the team didn't want to risk a potential injury. Before leaving the game, he allowed no runs with only one hit and six strikeouts ina 2-1 lossto theToronto Blue Jays. The Tigers rank sixth in MLB with a 3.36 team ERA, allowing a .229 opponent batting average (ranking seventh). Their starters have a collective 3.46 ERA. Keider Monterotook Mize's turn in Detroit's rotation and allowed five runs, eight hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings inMonday's 11-4 lossto theSt. Louis Cardinals. The Tigers recalled relieverChase Leefrom Triple-A Toledo to fill Olson's spot on the active roster. He compiled a 1.00 ERA with nine strikeouts in nine innings during eight appearances during a previous stint with the Tigers this season.
