Konnor Griffin and Roman Anthony just flipped the script on everyone, going from months of zero progress to being on the verge of a rehab assignment in the blink of an eye. Seriously, with only six weeks left, that kind of turnaround makes you rethink who’s truly done for the year. We’re already seeing players like Oneil Cruz and Maikel Garcia get activated after only a week or so, and Carlos Rodon is set for activation after just two rehab starts. It’s wild, man.
The Tide Is Turning, Even This Late
Look, everyone talks about the IL being a total graveyard this late in the game, like once you’re down, you’re out. But these guys are absolutely proving that’s not always the case. Cruz and Garcia got back into the thick of it super fast, and Rodon’s comeback after only two rehab starts? That’s the kind of unexpected pop that keeps you glued to the news. It’s a reminder that even when the clock is winding down, the tide can absolutely turn. Don’t write anyone off until that final out is called.
Still Too Valuable to Drop, No Matter What
Then you’ve got the absolute studs who are just too important to even think about dropping, no matter how long they’ve been out or how bad it looks. James Wood, for instance, is nursing a strained oblique, and the Nationals are taking their sweet time with him, keeping him to just light baseball activities for now. But his upside? That makes him worth the wait, no doubt. Juan Soto, battling a strained calf, has already started wind sprints and he’s still all-in on returning this season. You gotta respect that kind of commitment, right? And Cody Bellinger, with his strained hamstring, is set to begin a rehab assignment this Thursday. We could actually see him back on the field as early as the start of next week. Think about that for a second.
Big Names Fighting Their Way Back
It doesn’t stop with those guys. Tyler Glasnow, dealing with back spasms, just threw 3 2/3 hitless innings in his latest rehab start, fanning eight hitters. He’s expected to need just one more start, which is insane. Hunter Goodman’s strained shoulder had him out for four straight games, so there’s a real shot at a minimal IL stint for him. Joe Ryan, nursing a glute strain, is already back to throwing off flat ground, which offers some serious hope that he’ll be able to return right when he’s first eligible. And then there’s Aaron Judge, who’s resumed throwing for that stress fracture in his rib. Hitting is still on hold, but mid-September looks like his best-case scenario. Max Fried’s bone bruise in his elbow is the same injury that sidelined him for more than two months earlier this year, but right now, it’s unclear if it’s of the same severity. And Riley Greene, a strained hamstring, sounds like his IL stint was largely a matter of the Tigers playing it safe.
So yeah, the season is absolutely beginning to wind down, but these injured list spots aren’t dead weight yet. Think of them like those last-minute lottery tickets. You might not be holding your breath every single day, but crossing those fingers could pay off in a massive way for your league’s final outcome in these last few weeks. The presumption that guys are done for 2026? It’s just that, a presumption, and it’s far from the final say until the season ends.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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