Twenty different Dodgers players have already spent time on the injured list this season, a staggering pace for a club that saw similar numbers plague their roster in previous years. In 2025, a whopping 28 Dodgers were sidelined, matching their 2024 total. Even worse, 2023 saw 34 players miss time on the IL. This isn’t just a couple of nagging injuries, folks; we’re talking about a serious, recurring problem for this squad.
Early Season Blows and the Long Haul List
Before Opening Day, the Dodgers already had some big names on the 60-day injured list with Evan Phillips and Kiké Hernández starting the season sidelined. Then, on Opening Day itself, six more players, including Blake Snell and Tommy Edman, were added to the list. That’s a brutal start, right? Tommy Edman’s right ankle surgery kept him out for 73 games, requiring 14 rehab games before his June 16 return. Kiké Hernández, after left elbow surgery, missed 53 games and needed 12 rehab games before coming back on May 25. But just days later, he was back on the IL with a left oblique strain that cost him another stint until July 28. It’s a non-stop carousel of injuries.
Who’s Still Sidelined? The List Just Keeps Growing
The injury bug isn’t picking and choosing; it’s going after everyone. Right now, a ton of guys are still on the shelf, many facing long recovery times. Brusdar Graterol, for example, underwent shoulder surgery way back on March 25 and then had back surgery in late May. That’s rough. Jake Cousins is out after Tommy John surgery, with a midseason return hoped for. Blake Snell, who hit the IL in May with loose bodies in his elbow, had surgery on May 19. Bobby Miller is dealing with shoulder soreness from late March, and Gavin Stone’s shoulder inflammation from March also moved him to the 60-day IL in April. We’ve also got Will Smith (neck inflammation), Tyler Glasnow (lower back spasms), Kris Bubic (left elbow soreness), and Ben Casparius (shoulder inflammation) all still on the long-term list, with some moved to the 60-day. Even newer additions like Dalton Rushing (slightly torn UCL, August 3) and relievers Brock Stewart (right shoulder discomfort, July 31), Will Klein (right elbow discomfort, August 1), and Blake Treinen (right elbow inflammation, June 20) are keeping the medical staff busy.
A Glimmer of Hope: Returns So Far
It hasn’t been all bad news. Some key players have managed to battle back. Mookie Betts was out with an oblique strain from early April but returned in May after missing 32 games and playing 2 rehab games. Edwin Díaz also fought his way back, returning on July 29 after right elbow surgery in April, missing a massive 86 games and needing 7 rehab games. Even Jack Dreyer missed 12 games in May with left shoulder discomfort before returning. And hey, Freddie Freeman took a couple of days off in April for paternity leave, which always makes you appreciate a healthy roster when even that requires a move!
This kind of injury list isn’t just a tough break; it’s a massive challenge for any team trying to stay competitive. With so many key guys sidelined, keeping the roster depth fresh and healthy is going to be the biggest battle for the Dodgers moving forward. You can’t win when you’re constantly patching holes.
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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