The MLB injury landscape took a significant turn on July 16th, with multiple notable players sidelined and roster moves rippling across the league. Most prominently, Shohei Ohtani will not be included in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ scheduled starting pitchers for this weekend’s series against the Yankees, signaling continued knee issues for the star two-way player. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies received devastating news as Brad Keller was placed on the 15-day injured list with a torn UCL in his right elbow, likely ending his 2026 season. These moves underscore the severity of injuries plaguing contenders as we enter the stretch run.
The New York Mets saw mixed injury news on Thursday, with Bo Bichette returning to action at third base against the Phillies despite his leg and ankle issues, while the team designated Zack Short for assignment. Notably, Dodgers catcher Will Smith remains in limbo with a neck injury, with manager Dave Roberts expressing uncertainty about his timeline despite expecting him to return before season’s end. The Mets will need all the healthy bodies they can find with Luis Robert (back) and Marcus Semien (hip) still on the sidelines.
On the brighter side, some teams made proactive roster moves to address their injury crises. The Arizona Diamondbacks will recall Tyler Locklear from Triple-A Reno ahead of Friday’s game against the Cardinals, while Jacob deGrom appears tentatively lined up to start Sunday’s game in Atlanta after dealing with glute issues. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Ron Hassell from the Washington Nationals, bolstering their outfield depth. In center field action, Justin Crawford will start for Philadelphia despite his knee concerns, showing the desperation teams face filling lineups amid the injury epidemic.