Pierson Ohl, a right-handed pitcher recently acquired by the Colorado Rockies from the Minnesota Twins, has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, Ohl will require Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2026 season. The Rockies plan to move him to the 60-day injured list when they open a roster spot, ensuring he remains with the major league club throughout his recovery.
Ohl’s Background and Performance in Minnesota
At 26 years old, Ohl made his major league debut with the Twins in 2025, pitching 30 innings out of the bullpen and posting a 5.10 earned run average. Although his initial MLB numbers were modest, he excelled in the minors, logging over 71 innings with a 2.40 ERA, a 30.3% strikeout rate, and a 3.9% walk rate. While Ohl’s fastball averages only 91.9 mph, pitching analyst Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs praised his changeup, assigning it a plus grade (60 on the 20-80 scale), and noted his potential for outstanding command (graded 70) during the previous season.
Impact on Colorado’s Bullpen Plans
Ohl was considered a strong candidate to earn a bullpen spot with the Rockies in 2026, competing for position alongside relievers like Victor Vodnik, Seth Halvorsen, Juan Mejia, Jimmy Herget, Brennan Bernardino, and Antonio Senzatela, who recently shifted from starting to a swingman role. Despite this, some relievers still have minor league options available, while the Rule 5 pick RJ Petit’s place on the team was uncertain. Ohl’s surgery has removed him from contention for the upcoming season, placing the Rockies in a challenging position as they finalize their relief corps.
Long-Term Outlook Despite 2026 Setback
Although missing an entire season is a significant setback, there is a positive aspect to Ohl’s situation. Being on the 60-day injured list will allow him to accumulate a full year of major league service time and earn the league minimum salary of $780,000, which is substantially higher than the $100,000 signing bonus he received as a 14th-round pick out of Grand Canyon University in 2021.
With just 62 days of major league service at the time of his trade, Ohl will reach approximately 1.062 years by the end of 2026, preserving his status under team control with three minor league option years remaining. This keeps him a valuable asset for the Rockies, who acquired him alongside infield prospect Edouard Julien in exchange for pitching prospect Jace Kaminska last month, as Minnesota needed to clear 40-man roster space.
What Lies Ahead for Pierson Ohl and the Rockies
Pierson Ohl’s Tommy John surgery means he will face a lengthy rehabilitation, but his youth, minor league success, and service time status make him a potential contributor for Colorado in future seasons. The Rockies will need to adjust their bullpen plans in the short term, but keeping Ohl on the 60-day injured list ensures he remains with the roster and continues his development within the organization. His recovery and eventual return will be critical to Colorado’s pitching depth in the years to come.
“Ohl was outstanding in the minors, totaling 71 1/3 frames with a 2.40 ERA, a 30.3% strikeout rate and just a 3.9% walk rate.” – Thomas Harding, MLB.com
“FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen credited him with a plus changeup (60 on the 20-80 scale) and potential plus-plus (70) command this past summer.” – Thomas Harding, MLB.com
“Moving to the 60-day IL will keep him in the majors all season, netting him a year of big league service and big league pay.” – Thomas Harding, MLB.com
#Rockies RHP Pierson Ohl, obtained from the #Twins after a solid finish to last year, will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and miss the season.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) February 23, 2026
