Injury Bug Bites MLB Contenders Ahead of October
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Star players including Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are battling injuries as the postseason looms.
As the MLB postseason approaches, several championship contenders are facing significant roster gaps due to injuries, as Sports Illustrated first reported.
The New York Yankees lost Aaron Judge, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right calf strain. Judge was removed from a Wednesday game against the Twins in the sixth inning and is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially part of the postseason.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are managing injuries to Shohei Ohtani, who is on the 15-day injured list with left knee and right biceps issues. While manager Dave Roberts expects Ohtani to return before the regular season ends, Ohtani stated he will focus on hitting and likely will not pitch again in 2026. Additionally, Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing was placed on the injured list September 6 due to a partial tear in his right elbow.
Other contenders are seeing rotations depleted. The Atlanta Braves lost Reynaldo Lopez to right shoulder discomfort and Bryce Elder to knee arthroscopic surgery on September 9. The Philadelphia Phillies are without Brad Keller, who suffered a UCL tear in his throwing elbow and will be out until 2027, while pitcher Jesus Luzardo is on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation.
In the National League, the Chicago Cubs are monitoring Justin Steele, who is rehabbing a throwing elbow injury; manager Craig Counsell noted Steele needs more pitching before returning. Ben Brown's season ended following a neck injury. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers are awaiting the potential return of Brandon Woodruff, who has been out since July 5 with a right shoulder capsule injury.