The start of the 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and the growing list of fantasy baseball injuries heading into Spring Training is already a major factor for drafters. The current casualty list looks like a CVS receipt when everyone in the family is sick, filled with recovering aces and battered sluggers. With so many MLB injury updates to track around the league, staying on top of these recovery timelines is critical for your fantasy baseball rankings and draft preparation. Let’s dive into the first edition of our comprehensive MLB injury report for 2026 as fantasy baseball drafts get into full swing!

MLB Injuries: Pitchers

Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) – Injury: Shoulder / Sports Hernia

The veteran righty had a rough end to his 2025 campaign, going down in August with a rotator cuff strain and then undergoing surgery in October to repair a sports hernia. However, Eovaldi recently told the SportsDay Rangers podcast that he has fully recovered from both issues. He expects to be ready for the start of the 2026 season without limitations.

Joe Musgrove (SD) – Injury: Elbow

Musgrove is finally getting back on track after missing the entire 2025 season. He underwent Tommy John surgery back in October 2024 after battling elbow inflammation and is now poised to return. The latest reports indicate he is expected to be good to go for Spring Training, looking to re-establish himself as a frontline starter.

Zack Wheeler (PHI) – Injury: Shoulder / Blood Clot

The Phillies ace underwent surgery in late 2025 to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and a blood clot in his right shoulder. While Wheeler is progressing with his throwing program as of January, he is currently expected to miss Opening Day. His readiness for the start of the season remains questionable, but the expectation is that he will return to the rotation early in the 2026 campaign.

Carlos Rodon (NYY) – Injury: Elbow

The Yankees southpaw is recovering from surgery performed in October 2025 to remove loose bodies and a bone spur from his pitching elbow. While he likely won't be on the Opening Day roster, the latest update is encouraging: as of late January, Rodon has resumed throwing and reports feeling "great." He is currently targeting a return to the rotation in April or early May 2026.

Justin Steele (CHC) – Injury: Elbow

The Cubs’ lefty is actively throwing and showing positive progress in his rehab. While he may not be ready for the very first turn of the rotation, he is currently targeting a return within the first half of the 2026 season. Fantasy managers should monitor his Spring Training volume closely.

Gerrit Cole (NYY) – Injury: Elbow

The Yankees ace underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025, wiping out the vast majority of his previous campaign. As we head into 2026, there is still no set timetable for his return. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues are holding steady, but for redraft leagues, he remains a massive question mark with a likely mid-to-late season impact at best.

Corbin Burnes (ARI) – Injury: Elbow

Similar to Cole, the Diamondbacks' star right-hander is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in June 2025. Given the typical 12-14 month recovery timeline, Burnes has no set timetable for a return just yet. It is safe to assume we won't see him on a big-league mound until the second half of the season, if at all.

Tanner Houck (BOS) – Injury: Elbow

Houck went under the knife in August 2025 for both Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair. This is a lengthy recovery, and the Red Sox are currently targeting a late 2026 or potentially early 2027 return. He is strictly an IL-stash in deep keeper formats for now.

River Ryan (LAD) – Injury: Elbow

Good news here. River Ryan, who underwent Tommy John surgery back in August 2024, is expected to be ready for 2026 Spring Training. The Dodgers will likely manage his innings carefully, but he enters camp with a green light to compete for a roster spot.

Gavin Stone (LAD) – Injury: Shoulder

Stone had shoulder surgery in October 2024 but has reportedly enjoyed a regular offseason leading into the 2026 campaign. Expect him to be full-go for Spring Training, looking to cement his place in the Dodgers' rotation.

Kutter Crawford (BOS) – Injury: Wrist

After undergoing wrist surgery in July 2025, Crawford threw a bullpen session in early January 2026 without issues. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training, providing a much-needed arm for the Red Sox rotation to start the year.

Trevor Williams (WSN) – Injury: Elbow

Williams is recovering from an internal brace procedure performed in July 2025. He is slated to throw off a mound in mid-February 2026, putting him slightly behind for Opening Day, but he could be an option for the Nationals' rotation early in the season.

DJ Herz (WSN) – Injury: Elbow

Herz began a throwing program in November 2025 following his April 2025 Tommy John surgery. He is progressing well, but given the timing, he will likely start the season on the IL with a potential mid-season return target.

Braxton Garrett (MIA) – Injury: Elbow

Garrett is recovering from UCL revision surgery that took place in December 2025. He has returned to light throwing, but revision surgeries can be tricky. Don't expect him back on the mound for the Marlins anytime soon.

Ronel Blanco (HOU) & Jackson Jobe (DET) – Injury: Elbow

Both pitchers underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2025. Their status for the entire 2026 season is highly questionable, and they are likely to be non-factors for fantasy purposes this year.

MLB Injuries: Position Players

Ha-Seong Kim (ATL) – Injury: Finger

Major Breaking News: In a brutal blow for the Braves, Ha-Seong Kim—who recently signed a one-year, $20 million deal with Atlanta—will miss the start of the season after a freak accident. Kim slipped on an icy road in Korea and suffered a torn tendon in his right middle finger. He underwent surgery in late January 2026 and is expected to miss 4-to-5 months, targeting a return in late May or June. Mauricio Dubon is expected to step in as the starting shortstop.

Austin Riley (ATL) – Injury: Core Muscle

The Braves' slugger underwent season-ending core muscle surgery back in August 2025. His recovery has spanned the entire offseason, but he is expected to enter Spring Training with a clean bill of health.

Marcelo Mayer (BOS) – Injury: Wrist

The Red Sox infield prospect had his 2025 season cut short by a TFCC tear in his right wrist. After initially attempting to manage the injury with a cortisone shot, he ultimately underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery in August 2025. The good news is that Mayer is reportedly optimistic about a full recovery and is expected to be fully ready for Spring Training 2026.

Gleyber Torres (DET) – Injury: Core Muscle

Now with the Tigers, Gleyber Torres underwent sports hernia surgery earlier this offseason. He is expected to be fully ready for Spring Training, looking to make a strong first impression with his new club and solidify the middle of the Detroit infield.

Triston Casas (BOS) – Injury: Knee

The Red Sox slugger is recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee. While he hopes to be ready for Opening Day, reports suggest a return closer to May 2026 might be more realistic. Fantasy managers should draft him with the expectation of missing the first month of the season.

Tommy Edman (LAD) – Injury: Ankle

Edman underwent right ankle surgery in November 2025. The Dodgers do not expect the injury to affect a "meaningful part" of his season. His versatility remains valuable, and he should be drafted with confidence that he will be in the lineup early on.

Jake Burger (TEX) – Injury: Wrist

The Rangers' slugger had successful left wrist surgery at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season. All signs point to a full recovery, and he is expected to be ready for Spring Training without limitations.

Keibert Ruiz (WSN) – Injury: Head

After a concussion disrupted his 2025 season, Ruiz has been following a strict offseason program. He is expected to be a full-go for Spring Training, looking to bounce back as the Nationals' primary backstop.