In this week’s Injury Report, Rafael Devers will undergo core muscle surgery, ending his season three home runs shy of 40 with two weeks to play. Kyle Bradish is also likely done for the season as he landed on the injured list with an abdominal injury. And the Cubs are eyeing a Friday return for Dansby Swanson. All that and more as we review all of the latest injury news.
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Rafael Devers (core muscle)
Devastating news that seemingly came out of nowhere on Sunday. A day after slugging his 37th homer, the Giants placed Devers on the 60-day injured list with a core muscle injury, ending his bid to become the first Giants player to hit 40 homers since Barry Bonds in 2004. The 29-year-old first baseman had been one of the hottest hitters in baseball this month, carrying fantasy teams in September with seven homers and a .342 batting average. It’s even more incredible to find out he’s apparently been playing through the injury for some time. The team saw it best to shut him down for the final two weeks, with plans for Devers to undergo core muscle surgery. He’s expected to be recovered and ready for spring training. With Devers out, the Giants now make for one of the top teams to target for streaming pitchers the rest of the way.
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D.J. Short
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Kyle Bradish (abdominal)
Bradish’s season came to an end a day after giving up five runs over three innings on Saturday against the Blue Jays. Toronto placed the 30-year-old right-hander on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with lower abdominal discomfort. The 30-year-old right-hander was a popular sleeper pick after finishing the 2025 season strong in his return from Tommy John surgery. Instead, he struggled in his first full campaign back, posting a 4.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and a career-low 21.2% strikeout rate.
Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring)
Valdez suffered a hamstring injury on Friday against the Cubs, departing in the sixth inning. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. The 22-year-old outfielder had come out of the gates hot in his debut, hitting .309 with ten homers in the first half. His high strikeout rate led to a second-half skid as he hit just .184 with seven homers since the All-Star break. Valdez’s placement on the injured list coincides with Ryan O’Hearn’s activation, with O’Hearn now filling in for designated hitter duties.
Dansby Swanson (oblique)
Swanson will begin a brief minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Manager Craig Counsell told reporters that the team is planning to activate him from the 10-day injured list on Friday for the start of a weekend series against the Reds. The 32-year-old shortstop has been out of action since mid-August with a left oblique strain. Nico Hoerner has filled in at shortstop with rookie Pedro Ramírez getting playing time at second base. Ramírez will likely shift to a bench role when Swanson returns.
Trey Yesavage (knee)
Yesavage tossed 30 pitches in a simulated game in his last mound session and was cleared to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo. He’ll make a start on Wednesday and is aiming to throw two or three innings. The 23-year-old right-hander is making his way back from left knee meniscus surgery that has sidelined him since early August. This late in the season, he may make it back for just an appearance or two for the Blue Jays in the regular season before he’s available for a potential playoff run should the team make the postseason.
Connelly Early (elbow)
Another pitcher looking to get some major league work in before the end of the season, Early was scheduled to make a second start with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday, but the game was rained out. He could instead make a start with Triple-A Rochester this week before he’s potentially cleared to make his Nationals debut before the end of the season. The 24-year-old left-hander has been on the shelf with left elbow inflammation since late June when he was still with the Red Sox.
Ryan Weathers (forearm)
Clarke Schmidt (elbow)
More reinforcements are on the way for the Yankees’ pitching staff. Weathers is recovering from a left forearm flexor strain and is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday. The 26-year-old left-hander had initially hoped to make it back before the end of the regular season, but it seems unlikely he’d get ramped up in time to rejoin the rotation. Instead, he’d be an option for either the starting staff or the bullpen in the postseason. Meanwhile, Schmidt will be making his return from Tommy John surgery this week and will be used in a relief role through the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
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