Tigers News: Reese Olson return, Jackson Jobe Triple-A debut, AL Wild Card race

The Detroit Tigers are set to get a major boost to their pitching rotation as they prepare to open a critical three-game series against the Kansas City Royals Monday.

Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reported Tigers right-hander Reese Olson, who has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain since July 20, is on track to be activated off the 15-day injured list ahead of Monday's contest.

Prior reports had suggested Olson was trending toward a return early this week in Kansas City, especially after Tigers manager AJ Hinch told reporters last week that he was "sure hoping" that the 25-year-old would be available to pitch in the series. Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal have been named the Tigers' probable starters for Tuesday's and Wednesday's games, respectfully, but Detroit hadn't officially announced a starter for Monday's contest ... until the news of Olson returning dropped in the afternoon.

Olson has made a pair of rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo, most recently tossing three shutout innings in 45 pitches this past Tuesday. He could be somewhat limited from a workload perspective Monday night.

Tigers' top prospect Jackson Jobe struggles in Triple-A debut

Right-hander Jackson Jobe, baseball's consensus No. 1 pitching prospect, made his Triple-A debut with Toledo Saturday, and suffice it to say, it didn't go well. The former No. 3 overall pick allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts across four innings in Saturday's 6-5 loss to Omaha. He needed 83 pitches to complete four innings.

The start was far from Jobe's best, but his track record gives us reason to believe that Saturday's performance was an anomaly. Before the Triple-A promotion, Jobe posted a 1.95 ERA with 38 walks (12.7% walk rate) and 81 strikeouts (27.1% strikeout rate) across 73 2/3 innings in 16 starts with Double-A Erie. He also had a 2.00 ERA with two walks and eight strikeouts across nine innings in High-A West Michigan during a three-start rehab assignment.

In other words, don't press the panic button yet on Detroit's No. 2 prospect.

Tigers gain ground on Twins in American League Wild Card race

The Tigers remain in a tight race with the Minnesota Twins and the Seattle Mariners for the third and final American League Wild Card spot, as both Detroit and Seattle sit just 2.5 games back of Minnesota.

The Twins dropped two of three to the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend, while the Tigers picked up two of their three matchups with the Baltimore Orioles. The Mariners had the best weekend of the three Wild Card contenders, earning a sweep of the Texas Rangers at home.

All three teams face crucial tests this week against teams in playoff positions. Minnesota visits the Cleveland Guardians, Detroit goes to Kansas City and the Mariners host the New York Yankees. Here we go.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals