Pierson Ohl Undergoes Tommy John Surgery After Rockies Trade

Pierson Ohl’s latest setback is a brutal one for the Rockies and a notable development in a volatile bullpen season. He arrived in Colorado as a promising right-handed setup option.

But a torn UCL, diagnosed after he joined the Rockies last month from Minnesota, will sideline him for the entire 2026 campaign. It’s a tough pill to swallow for both Ohl and the club.

Diagnosis and immediate impact on Colorado’s pitching plans

Ohl, 26, needs Tommy John surgery after the Rockies announced his torn UCL. The club can place him on the 60-day injured list when a roster spot opens.

That move keeps his MLB service time and major-league pay for the year intact. Colorado loses a bullpen option for 2026 while he rehabs, so that’s a real blow for the team’s depth chart.

Spring training implications and bullpen competition

The Rockies entered spring training with a crowded relief corps and several players capable of filling mid-to-back-end roles, including Victor Vodnik, Seth Halvorsen, Juan Mejia, Jimmy Herget, Brennan Bernardino, and Antonio Senzatela. Also in the mix: Rule 5 pick RJ Petit and others with options.

Ohl’s injury wipes out his shot at a bullpen job this spring. That shifts the competition for 2026, and probably opens the door for someone else to make a mark.

With the 60-day IL, Ohl still gets a full year of MLB service time and the major-league minimum salary ($780,000). That’s a huge jump from his $100,000 signing bonus as a 14th-round pick out of Grand Canyon University in 2021.

The trade and the profile that shaped Ohl’s move to Colorado

Ohl came over in a deal that sent Edouard Julien to Colorado for Jace Kaminska. That move shook up the depth charts and showed how much Colorado liked Ohl’s upside, even after he pitched 30 innings with a 5.10 ERA for Minnesota in 2025, mostly as a reliever.

The winter trade really put a spotlight on Ohl’s ceiling as a controllable bullpen piece—if his arm held up. Colorado took a calculated gamble on a young pitcher who’d flashed promise in the minors and already handled some adversity in the bigs.

Minor-league track record and scouting notes

Minor-league success is where Ohl really impressed: 71 1/3 innings, a 2.40 ERA, 30.3% strikeout rate, and just a 3.9% walk rate. Those are the kind of numbers that make you take notice—he can miss bats and fill up the strike zone.

Scouting profile from fans and evaluators focuses on his low-velocity fastball—just under 92 mph (91.9 mph)—with a plus changeup and what FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen calls potential plus-plus command. That mix suggests he can neutralize lefties and get weak contact, as long as he keeps hitters guessing and locates well.

In 2025, Ohl debuted with Minnesota and, like most rookies, had his ups and downs as a reliever. He showed enough to keep Colorado interested in his development, but now the question is how he’ll bounce back from Tommy John and when the Rockies might give him another look—either in the bullpen or maybe even the rotation, depending on how things shake out and how his rehab goes.

What this means for Colorado long-term

Looking past 2026, the Rockies’ plans really hinge on how Pierson Ohl recovers and whether his pre-surgery scouting numbers hold up after rehab. His plus changeup and projected command could still help if he gets back to full strength.

But let’s be honest, coming back from UCL reconstruction isn’t quick or guaranteed. The team will have to wait and see.

Right now, Colorado faces a season without one of its bullpen options. They’ll have to keep an eye on younger pitchers who might step up while Ohl’s out.

The Rockies’ choice to push forward with a high-ceiling arm like Ohl shows they’re still committed to young talent—and maybe a little obsessed with service-time strategy. That’s probably going to shape their bullpen not just in 2026, but for a while.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Pierson Ohl To Undergo Tommy John Surgery