Dodgers Overcome Historic Injury Toll in Pursuit of Third Straight World Series
Despite a record number of days lost to injury, the Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched the NL West and aim to make history with a third consecutive World Series title.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have navigated the 2026 season battling a significant injury crisis, a challenge that has tested their depth as they aim for an unprecedented third consecutive World Series championship. Throughout the season, the team has placed numerous players on the injured list, encompassing a wide range of ailments from shoulders and elbows to backs, knees, and hands.
According to RotoWire's injury severity rankings, the Dodgers currently stand 11th among all 30 Major League Baseball teams, with a severity score of 75 points. This includes 11 players on the 60-day injured list and six on the 10- or 15-day IL. RotoWire's model assigns five points for each 60-day IL placement and three points for shorter stints. This marks the first time this season the Dodgers have fallen out of the top 10 in these rankings, having consistently been within the top tier throughout the year.
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers have secured their 14th consecutive postseason appearance and clinched the NL West title for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Their pursuit of becoming the first National League franchise to win three consecutive World Series titles will proceed with several key players managing injuries.
Superstar Shohei Ohtani remains on the 15-day IL with ongoing left knee and right biceps issues. However, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has indicated that Ohtani is progressing well and is expected to return before the end of the regular season. All-Star closer Edwin Díaz was activated on Friday after being sidelined since August 18 with neck inflammation. Andy Pages, an All-Star center fielder, is still on the IL with a fractured left hand but could be activated during the Dodgers' final homestand.
Pitching has also been affected, with Tyler Glasnow returning to the rotation after missing over three months due to lower back spasms. Blake Snell, who experienced shoulder fatigue and underwent elbow surgery earlier in the season, recently left a start early due to left groin tightness. A source described the decision to remove him as precautionary, and Snell anticipates making his next start. Roki Sasaki has been sidelined since August 27 with a blister on his pitching hand, and Will Smith recently returned from a nearly three-month absence due to neck inflammation.
Data from Spotrac indicates that the Dodgers have had 26 different players on the injured list this season, leading the league with 2,194 total days lost to injury. This accounts for an estimated $83 million in player salaries on the IL, trailing only the New York Yankees in total cash spent on injured players.
The Giants and Orioles are the only other teams with a severity score exceeding 100 points due to the number of players on their respective 60-day injured lists. Across all 30 MLB teams, 526 roster players are currently on injured lists.
The Dodgers have demonstrated resilience throughout the regular season, overcoming significant adversity to win their division. The critical question now is whether a sufficient number of their key players will be healthy enough for the postseason run to achieve a historic third consecutive World Series title.