The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff has sustained another significant blow as reliever Will Klein was diagnosed with bone chips in his elbow, according to a report by The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.
A recent MRI revealed the presence of the bone chips, and while the specific next steps are still undetermined, arthroscopic surgery is a common procedure for such injuries.
Should Klein require surgery, it would likely mean the end of his 2026 season. The right-handed pitcher was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 1 with right elbow discomfort.
Klein had established himself as a reliable presence in the Dodgers' bullpen this season, recording a 3.67 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched over 36 appearances. Although he had struggled in his last seven games, posting a 9.82 ERA, his overall performance made him a valuable asset for manager Dave Roberts' relief corps.
His importance was particularly evident during the Dodgers' postseason run in 2025, where he delivered five scoreless innings, including four scoreless frames in the team's 18-inning Game 3 victory in the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Dodgers have been plagued by injuries this season, notably the ongoing knee issue affecting two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who has also been dealing with a right bicep injury. Ohtani has remained in the team's lineup as a hitter, but his return to the mound this season remains uncertain.
An update on whether Klein will undergo surgery is expected in the near future.