Before the regular season even properly kicked off, the Dodgers were already slammed with a major hit, placing both Evan Phillips and Kiké Hernández on the 60-day injured list. Then, on Opening Day, another six players joined the crew, including big names like Blake Snell and Tommy Edman. Seriously, what is even happening out there? It’s like the IL became a popular hangout spot before the season truly began.
This isn’t just some random bad luck that popped up this year either. Remember last season, 2025? A mind-boggling 28 different Dodgers players spent time on the injured list. That’s the *same number* as 2024! And if you look back to 2023, they had an even crazier 34 players miss time. We’re talking about a serious, consistent pattern here. Every single one of those stints means a transaction, a scramble for a roster spot. It’s a constant churn, and it’s gotta be tough for team chemistry and consistency. Pitchers are looking at a minimum of 15 days out, position players at least 10, but some of these guys are out for months.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of who’s been hit hardest. Tommy Edman, who went down with right ankle surgery on March 25, wasn’t eligible to return until June 16, missing 73 games. He’d already logged 14 rehab games before that! Kris Bubic hit the list in May for elbow and shoulder soreness, finally eligible to return in September after 39 games out and six rehab games. Kiké Hernández is having a brutal year; he had left elbow surgery in February, sidelining him until May 25, then got hit with a left oblique strain in May that kept him out until July 28. That’s 53 games for the elbow and another 51 for the oblique, plus a ton of rehab work. Pitchers Jake Cousins and Brusdar Graterol both went down on March 25 with serious stuff: Tommy John surgery for Cousins, shoulder surgery for Graterol, who then needed back surgery in May. Both are out for the entire 162-game season. Edwin Díaz had right elbow surgery in April and was out until July, then got hit with neck inflammation in August, out until September. Even Freddie Freeman had a quick paternity leave stint in April for the birth of his daughter. Tyler Glasnow was out for 94 games with back spasms, and Bobby Miller missed 141 games with shoulder soreness and a back injury. It’s just non-stop.
When you tally it all up, this is a whole lot of talent on the sidelines. What does this mean for the Dodgers, having so many guys hit the injured list early and often? Keeping an eye on those return dates, especially for guys like Edman and Snell, is going to be absolutely crucial. Can they stay healthy enough to make a real run, or will this revolving door just keep spinning all season long, making every game a test of their depth?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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