Detroit, MI

Detroit Tigers option Keider Montero. What does that mean for Reese Olson’s status?

Published

4 months ago

June 20, 2025

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Detroit Tigers option Keider Montero. What does that mean for Reese Olson’s status?

The Detroit Tigers optioned Keider Montero to Triple-A Toledo and recalled Dylan Smith.
Injured pitcher Reese Olson will likely need another rehab start before returning to the Tigers.
The Tigers released reliever John Brebbia after he struggled with a 7.71 ERA.

TAMPA, FL — The Detroit Tigers optioned right-hander Keider Montero to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, June 20, following his start Thursday, June 19, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Does that mean Reese Olson is coming back?

Not so fast.

“It’s unrelated to Reese,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Friday’s opener of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Our expectation is that he’s going to need another rehab start to continue to move forward.”

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Olson — the No. 3 starter in the Tigers’ rotation — has been sidelined for more than a month with right ring finger inflammation. The 25-year-old right-hander completed the second start of his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Toledo, throwing 58 pitches.

He threw 48 pitches in his first start.

Aside from the increased pitch count, Olson advanced from throwing zero changeups in his first start to seven changeups in his second start. His finger injury forced him to stop throwing his changeup, so incorporating it into games is a big step forward.

Olson typically throws 25% changeups.

He threw 12% changeups in Thursday’s start.

“He feels really good,” Hinch said of Olson, who completed 3⅔ scoreless innings with zero walks and five strikeouts. “If he continues to take these steps, then we can start talking about when he can get back to helping us.”

Dylan Smith recalled

Replacing Montero, the Tigers recalled right-handed reliever Dylan Smith from Triple-A Toledo. The 25-year-old pitched two games for the Tigers in early June, then returned as the 27th player for Thursday’s doubleheader against the Pirates.

Smith recorded his first MLB strikeout in Game 1 — exactly 17 days after his MLB debut. He then traveled with the Tigers to Tampa on Thursday night.

“I was kind of anxious about it,” said Smith, who struck out Billy Cook swinging with a down-and-away sweeper. “I was antsy. I really wanted to get it out of the way. Now that I got it out of the way, I can focus and do what I do.”

The Tigers have chosen to operate with nine relievers in the bullpen by recalling Smith and optioning Montero — leaving just four starters in the rotation.

Since May 16, the Tigers’ bullpen ranks 25th in MLB with a 4.63 ERA.

“The value is continuing to have guys available when other guys need a blow,” Hinch said. “We’re working through things with a couple of different guys at this point of the season where having the extra arm is a good thing for us.”

There are Monday off days coming up in each of the next two weeks, and since left-hander Tarik Skubal is scheduled to start Tuesday, June 24, against the Athletics, the Tigers could skip the fifth spot in the rotation — just for one turn — before Olson returns.

“We’ll look at all of our options,” Hinch said.

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Message to Keider Montero

Now a Mud Hen, Montero registered a 4.02 ERA with 20 walks and 39 strikeouts across 56 innings in 11 games (six starts) with the Tigers in the 2025 season. His 1.393 WHIP ranks 96th among 128 MLB pitchers with at least 50 innings.

He turns 25 in early July.

“He’s been a part of this since the beginning,” Hinch said. “It’s been a little bit of a back and forth for a large portion of the season. Right now, we really need the coverage in the bullpen, and we’ll deal with the rotation moving forward as it comes.”

Montero surrendered one run on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts across five innings in Game 2 of the doubleheader, which the Tigers lost, 8-4, in 10 innings.

He has allowed two or fewer runs in six games, four of which were starts.

“We fully expect him to be back,” Hinch said. “He’s got some things to work on, but he also can take a little bit of comfort knowing that he has all of our respect, all of our admiration. He’s a good pitcher. He’s going to be back in the rotation at some point.”

John Brebbia released

The Tigers released right-handed reliever John Brebbia.

The 35-year-old was designated for assignment Sunday, June 15, after posting a 7.71 ERA across 18⅔ innings in 19 games. Now, Brebbia is eligible to sign with any team.

In February 2025, the Tigers signed Brebbia to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with a $4 million club option for the 2026 season. The Tigers are on the hook for his salary this season.

The deal didn’t work out as planned.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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Detroit, MI

Former congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick lying in state at Wright Museum

Published

18 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Press Room

Former congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick lying in state at Wright Museum

The Detroit News
| The Detroit News

Former U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick lie in state on Monday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for a daylong visitation ahead of her funeral on Wednesday.

Cheeks Kilpatrick, 80, died on Oct. 7 following a long illness, family and friends said.

The mother of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick served seven terms in Congress and nine terms in the Michigan House of Representatives as a Democrat. She left office at the end of 2010 after losing reelection in a Democratic primary.

Cheeks Kilpatrick’s funeral is planned to begin at noon on Wednesday at Greater Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, 19190 Schaefer Hwy., on Detroit’s west side.

Monday’s visitation was scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the museum, 315 E. Warren.

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Detroit, MI

MSP trooper injured after vehicle strikes patrol car on I-96 in Detroit

Published

1 day ago

October 19, 2025

Press Room

MSP trooper injured after vehicle strikes patrol car on I-96 in Detroit

A Michigan State Police trooper was injured after his patrol car was struck by a Jeep Cherokee driver who lost control on Interstate 96 in Detroit, running into the trooper’s car during a crash investigation, police said.

The trooper was sitting on the shoulder of westbound I-96 at Fullerton Avenue in Detroit investigating a single-vehicle crash, according to Michigan State Police.

The 55-year-old driver of the Jeep Cherokee lost control and struck the patrol car, pushing it into the rear of the car involved in the initial crash, according to MSP. The trooper was in his patrol car and was injured, as were two people in the Jeep.

“It is important for drivers to remember to slow down in wet weather,” said MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw in a press release. “This particular driver was not only driving too fast for road conditions, he also had three of his four tires worn below the wear bars which also led him to lose control and crash.”

kberg@detroitnews.com

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Detroit, MI

Detroit businesses prepare for economic boost from Free Press Marathon Sunday

Published

2 days ago

October 19, 2025

Press Room

Detroit businesses prepare for economic boost from Free Press Marathon Sunday

DETROIT, Mich. (WXYZ) — Thousands of runners are expected to flood downtown Detroit on Sunday for the Free Press Marathon, and local businesses are gearing up for the economic boost that comes with the annual event.

Holly McClain, owner of Olin Bar and Kitchen on East Grand River, said her team is prepared for the influx of hungry marathoners and spectators.

“We get an uptick of people all weekend which is great for us especially on Sunday,” McClain said.

WXYZ

Holly McClain

More than 26,000 runners are expected to participate in this year’s race, which starts at 7 a.m.

McClain said the restaurant sees customers both before and after the marathon, with many taking advantage of their Sunday brunch that starts at 10:30 a.m.

“We get right before the marathon, after the marathon. We have a Sunday brunch starts at 10:30 so we see a lot of guest from the marathon,” McClain said.

When asked if runners come hungry, McClain was ready with an answer.

“They do come hungry and we’re ready to feed them. All of them,” McClain said.

The restaurant owner said she’s excited about the continued growth and development in downtown Detroit, particularly with new businesses opening nearby.

“It’s great when our neighbors open up businesses especially having the Hudson site right next door to us and more businesses coming in and bringing more people to Olin,” McClain said.

The Free Press Marathon generates significant economic impact for Detroit. Last year, the race brought in more than $23 million for the city.

Beyond the economic benefits, the event also raises money for various charities including the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan and Boy Scouts of America.

“The more people that come down to Detroit, we’re excited about it,” McClain said.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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