The 2026 MLB season saw several major injuries that changed division races and affected postseason seeding. Some of the game’s biggest stars missed significant time. Injuries are common during a 162-game season, but the 2026 campaign brought tough setbacks for award winners and highly paid pitchers.
Several teams had to adjust their plans and find replacements. These injuries affected more than on-field performance. Front offices had to adjust before the trade deadline and use prospects to fill roster gaps.
Let’s take a look at 10 such injured players.
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10. Trey Yesavage
The Toronto Blue Jays expected right-hander Trey Yesavage to help strengthen their rotation. However, a torn left meniscus required surgery in August and hurt the team’s postseason push.
Yesavage returned to the active roster in late September. However, his earlier absence left the Blue Jays with fewer starting-pitching options during a demanding part of the schedule.
9. Matt Chapman
The San Francisco Giants hoped Matt Chapman would provide stability in the middle of their lineup. However, those plans took a hit when the third baseman suffered a serious core muscle injury and a sports hernia.
Chapman underwent surgery in August and missed the remainder of the season. Although initially diagnosed with a sports hernia as well, surgery revealed torn abdominal muscles without a hernia.
8. Hunter Greene
The Cincinnati Reds suffered a major blow when young ace Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery in August. The elbow injury ended his 2026 season early and will likely keep him out for all of 2027.
Greene had already missed the beginning of the season following surgery to remove bone chips and loose bodies from his right elbow. Without his triple-digit fastball at the top of the rotation, Cincinnati was forced to rely more on inexperienced minor league pitchers to fill the gap.
7. A.J. Puk
The Arizona Diamondbacks opened 2026 without left-hander A.J. Puk, who was recovering from an internal brace procedure on his left elbow in June 2025.
A left-shoulder capsule sprain during a minor league rehab assignment in June ruled him out for the season. After further evaluation, Arizona confirmed in August that he would remain shut down, leaving its bullpen without him for the entire campaign.
6. Grayson Rodriguez
Grayson Rodriguez opened 2026 on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, returned May 17, made six starts (25 2/3 IP, 8.06 ERA), and returned to the IL on June 15 with lower back inflammation. He returned on July 10 and finished the year with 20 starts, 98.2 IP, and a 6.02 ERA.
Rodriguez had the potential to become a key part of the Los Angeles Angels’ rotation. However, injuries kept him from contributing consistently.
5. Corbin Burnes
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ postseason push took a major hit during the final week of the regular season when ace Corbin Burnes suffered from right shoulder inflammation. The team placed the right-hander on the injured list just before a crucial weekend series.
Burnes had spent most of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery and a subsequent right teres major strain, returning on September 8 and making only three starts. His injury forced the Diamondbacks to navigate a tight wild-card race without their ace.
4. Shane Bieber
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Shane Bieber in 2025 to strengthen their rotation during the American League playoff race. However, right-arm inflammation sent him back to the injured list in August 2026. The former Cy Young Award winner had made 11 starts before the injury affected his campaign.
Bieber’s absence left the Blue Jays without an experienced starting pitcher during a crucial part of the season. Toronto was already dealing with several other rotation injuries, further limiting its replacement options.
3. Spencer Strider
The Atlanta Braves’ pitching staff faced major problems when Spencer Strider suffered a left oblique strain during spring training and later developed right elbow inflammation in June. He made just eight starts and posted a 5.31 ERA in 2026.
JR Ritchie was called upon to fill the open rotation spot, giving the young pitcher a larger role in Strider’s absence.
2. Garrett Crochet
The Boston Red Sox suffered a major loss when their new ace, Garrett Crochet, developed left shoulder inflammation in April and a low-grade left lat strain during his recovery. The injuries disrupted his season and kept the left-hander out for more than 120 consecutive days.
He returned to the active roster in September but made only a brief relief appearance in the Wild Card Series.
1. Aaron Judge
The New York Yankees suffered a major setback when Aaron Judge was diagnosed with a right rib stress fracture in April. A right soleus calf strain in September further complicated matters. These injuries forced the captain to miss 96 regular-season games.
The team entered the postseason without its captain. Judge was left off the Wild Card Series and American League Division Series rosters.
Edited by Shardul Sant
