The October Gamble: Health Becomes the Ultimate Currency

In this game, the regular season is where you build the resume, but October is where you prove you can actually stand on the field. Right now, too many heavy hitters are gambling with their postseason hopes, and the house is starting to win.

**OPINION:** We've seen it a thousand times, as Sports Illustrated first reported. A team cruises through the summer with a statistical juggernaut of a roster, only to watch their World Series dreams evaporate because their best players are nursing ailments that don't show up in a box score until it's too late. When the lights get bright, the healthiest team usually wins, and right now, the league's contenders are looking fragile.

Take the New York Yankees. According to Sports Illustrated, Aaron Judge was pulled in the sixth inning of a Wednesday clash against the Twins. While the team hasn't provided a full update, they indicated Judge is dealing with lower leg tightness. You don't need a medical degree to know that when your superstar outfielder is leaving a game early, the entire organization holds its breath.

Then you look at the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are juggling a nightmare of a health report. Sports Illustrated reports that Shohei Ohtani is on the 15-day IL with injuries to his right biceps and left knee. While manager Dave Roberts expects Ohtani back before the regular season ends, Ohtani has stated he will focus on hitting and likely won't pitch again in 2026. The Dodgers are also dealing with right elbow discomfort for backup catcher Dalton Rushing, who suffered a partially torn UCL; the team hopes he can contribute as a pinch hitter or DH in the postseason since he won't catch again this year. Additionally, reliever Edwin Diaz is expected back this Friday after a stint on the IL that began in mid-August.

Rotation depth is becoming a crisis for other contenders. The Atlanta Braves are reeling after Reynaldo Lopez was placed on the IL with right shoulder discomfort—an issue Sports Illustrated notes he has battled all season. It is unlikely Lopez will be available in October. Meanwhile, Bryce Elder is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery; though he could return in October, it would require a deep postseason run.

In Philadelphia, the Phillies are hoping All-Star lefty Jesus Luzardo can return from shoulder inflammation. Luzardo is eligible for activation on Sept. 27 and told reporters his plan is to pitch in October. The Phillies' bullpen has already taken a massive hit, as reliever Brad Keller is sidelined until 2027 following a UCL tear in his pitching elbow.

Even the Midwest is feeling the strain. The Milwaukee Brewers are weighing a slim chance of a return for Brandon Woodruff, who has been out since July 5 with a right shoulder capsule. The Chicago Cubs are waiting on Justin Steele, who is rehabbing an elbow injury in Triple A; manager Craig Counsell noted that Steele needs more pitching before a return. The Cubs also lost Ben Brown for the season after a neck injury and a late-August setback in Arizona, meaning Brown will focus on the 2027 campaign.