MLB Injury Report: Ohtani Returns for Dodgers as Diamondbacks and Rangers Lose Key Stars in Final Weekend

The final weekend of the 2026 MLB regular season is being dictated by the medical staff as much as the box scores. With postseason seeding and survival on the line, the Los Angeles Dodgers are welcoming back their most lethal weapon, while the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers are scrambling to replace injured cornerstones in the last 48 hours of their playoff chases.[1][4]

In Los Angeles, the news is entirely positive for a roster eyeing a three-peat. Shohei Ohtani was cleared to return from the injured list on Wednesday after a two-week absence due to knee and biceps issues. The 32-year-old resumed his role as the primary designated hitter against the San Diego Padres, though manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani will not pitch again this season.[1][2]

The Dodgers' reinforcements extend beyond their MVP. Outfielder Andy Pages was activated ahead of the Padres series after missing a month with a fractured left hand, and right-hander Roki Sasaki returned from a blister issue to audition for a multi-inning relief role in October.[1]

The atmosphere in Phoenix is significantly more desperate. The Diamondbacks placed ace Corbin Burnes on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation on Friday, scratching him from a critical Saturday start. Burnes had only just returned to the major leagues on September 8 following a grueling 15-month recovery from Tommy John surgery, posting a 7.84 ERA across 10 1/3 innings before his velocity dipped in his final outing.[3]

Arizona trails the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the final National League Wild Card spot with only three games remaining. Losing Burnes forces a bullpen game at the exact moment the rotation can least afford it. Manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the severity of the situation following Burnes's MRI. "We have a couple of plans in place. Plan A is to get through tonight's game and do everything we can to win tonight's game," Lovullo said. "It's all hands on deck."[3]

The Diamondbacks are leaning on internal resilience to bridge the gap. Veteran starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who pitched on Thursday, approached Lovullo on Friday afternoon to offer his services on zero days' rest. "I'll be in the bullpen tonight if you need me," Rodriguez told his manager. Lovullo declined the immediate offer but noted the gesture: "It's not surprising. It's typical E-Rod."[3]

In the American League, the Texas Rangers suffered a devastating blow to their division title hopes. Third baseman Josh Jung sustained a fractured right hand after being hit by a Joe Ryan pitch in the first inning of Friday's 10-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. The Rangers and Houston Astros entered the weekend deadlocked at 79-81 atop the AL West, with Houston holding the head-to-head tiebreaker.[4]

Jung's absence removes a massive bat from the middle of the Texas lineup. Despite missing seven weeks earlier this summer with a left calf strain, Jung was hitting .299 with 12 home runs and a team-leading 136 wRC+ across 444 plate appearances. He had been red-hot since his September 12 return, posting a 1.032 OPS over his last 48 plate appearances. Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue are expected to platoon in his absence.[4]

Even teams that have already punched their postseason tickets are navigating significant medical hurdles. The New York Yankees are preparing to open the AL Wild Card Series without captain Aaron Judge, who is managing a "moderate grade" calf strain, and right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who returned to the injured list with a biceps injury.[5]

The next two days will determine whether the Diamondbacks and Rangers can overcome their late-season attrition to reach October. For Arizona, the math requires a near-perfect weekend and help from the Tampa Bay Rays against Philadelphia. For Texas, the assignment is simpler: win out against Minnesota and hope Houston stumbles.[4]