MLB Depth Tested: 5 Teams With the Most Talent on the Injured List
SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball
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Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have endured a remarkable run despite an extensive list of injuries, especially among their starters. At 32–27, the Astros sit just half a game behind Seattle, a testament to their depth and resilience.
Current Injured List:
Infielders: Zach Dezenzo (hand) – 10-day IL
Outfielders: Yordan Alvarez (hand), Pedro Leon (knee), Chas McCormick (oblique), Taylor Trammell (calf) – 10-day IL
Starting Pitchers: Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) – 10-day IL; Ronel Blanco (Tommy John), J.P. France (shoulder), Luis Garcia (Tommy John), Cristian Javier (Tommy John), Hayden Wesneski (Tommy John) – 60-day IL
Without star slugger Yordan Alvarez for over a month, Houston’s offense has leaned on veteran Jose Altuve, rookie Cam Smith, and Jake Meyers. Defenses have adjusted accordingly, while backup outfielders Victor Caratini, Yainer Díaz, and now Dezenzo and Trammell have also joined the IL. The pitching staff finds itself threadbare. Manager Joe Espada continues to shuffle his roster to keep the Astros competitive, but losing so many arms tested even their championship pedigree.
*All stats and records as of June 3.
For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
MLB's 5 Sickest Sick Bays
Injuries have reshaped the landscape of Major League Baseball this season, striking even the most talented rosters. These setbacks test each team's depth, from Baltimore’s depleted rotation to Boston’s gaping lineup holes, and Houston’s empty starting staff to Los Angeles’s rash of Tommy John recoveries. Meanwhile, the Yankees have leaned on organizational strength to maintain their division lead despite losing frontline arms and key hitters.
Let's look at five teams that have been hit the worst with the injury bug and detail the impact of each team’s IL, highlight the players sidelined, and examine how managers are adapting to life without top contributors.
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox injury woes mirror those of their AL East rivals. Key contributors have missed time, leaving the club to patch holes on both sides of the ball.
Current Injured List:
Infielders: Alex Bregman (quad) – 10-day IL; Triston Casas (knee) – 60-day IL
Starting Pitchers: Tanner Houck (forearm) – 10-day IL; Kutter Crawford (knee), Chris Murphy (Tommy John), Patrick Sandoval (elbow) – 60-day IL
Relief Pitchers: Liam Hendricks (hip) and Justin Slaten (shoulder) – 10-day IL
Alex Bregman’s scorching start came to a halt, and Triston Casas’ knee injury robbed Boston of a vital bat despite his modest early returns. The rotation has leaned heavily on Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello, but the trio beyond those two owns a combined ERA north of 4.44. Losing Houck’s mid-rotation arm and Crawford’s innings from the back end has made run prevention a challenge for manager Alex Cora. As teams battle for AL East supremacy, Boston must navigate these gaps while balancing a cloud of uncertainty around their pitching depth.
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching department resembles a surgical rotation room, with numerous arms undergoing Tommy John repairs. Their resilience, though, has kept them atop the NL West despite multiple roster holes.
Current Injured List:
Starting Pitchers (10-day IL): Roki Sasaki (shoulder)
Relievers (10-day IL): Luis García (groin), Kirby Yates (hamstring)
Starting Pitchers (60-day IL): Tyler Glasnow (shoulder), Kyle Hurt, River Ryan, Emmet Sheehan, Blake Snell, Gavin Stone
Relievers (60-day IL): Brusdar Graterol, Michael Grove, Edgardo Henriquez, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen
Manager Dave Roberts has tapped into a deep farm system to offset the departures of Glasnow, Snell, and others. Backup arms and rookie call-ups have been pressed into high-leverage roles, yet L.A. still boasts an NL-best record. Offense remains potent, and bullpen shuffles have somehow maintained stability. With four starters sporting ERAs above 4.09, depth policies are key. The Dodgers have shown that elite scouting and player development can sustain success, even when injuries accumulate across both rotation and relief corps.
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Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles have struggled with injuries all season, a trend that has hampered their performance despite a brief three-game winning streak. Their run differential remains a troubling –93, better only than the Athletics and Colorado Rockies.
Current Injured List:
Catcher: Gary Sanchez (wrist) – 10-day IL
Infielders: Ryan Mountcastle (hamstring), Jordan Westburg (hamstring) – 10-day IL
Outfielders: Ramon Laureano (ankle), Cedric Mullins (hamstring), Tyler O’Neill (shoulder) – 10-day IL
Starting Pitchers: Kyle Bradish (Tommy John), Grayson Rodriguez (elbow), Tyler Wells (UCL) – 60-day IL
Relievers: Cody Poteet (shoulder), Albert Suarez (shoulder) – 60-day IL
With Bradish, Rodriguez, and Wells sidelined long-term, Baltimore’s rotation is thin. Charlie Morton, Cade Povich, and Dean Kremer have logged extra innings, often beyond ideal limits. Offensively, young players like Jordyn Adams, Maverick Handley, Emmanuel Rivera, and Dylan Carlson have received opportunities—an indication of the depleted roster. Losing multiple All-Stars and key corner infielders has prevented the Orioles from making up ground in the AL East, forcing manager Brandon Hyde to rely on depth pieces far earlier than planned.
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New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have withstood a rash of injuries to remain atop the AL East, thanks to organizational depth and timely contributions from role players.
Current Injured List:
Infielders: Jazz Chisholm Jr. (oblique - activated June 3), Oswaldo Cabrera (ankle) – 10-day IL
Starting Pitchers: Marcus Stroman (knee) – 10-day IL; J.T. Brubaker (ribs), Gerrit Cole (Tommy John), Luis Gil (lat) – 60-day IL
Relief Pitchers: Fernando Cruz (shoulder) – 10-day IL; Jake Cousins (elbow flexor) – 60-day IL; Luke Weaver (hamstring) – expected IL placement
Outfielder: Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) – 60-day IL
With Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil both on the shelf long-term, NYY brass has rotated Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, and Ryan Yarbrough into their starts. Marcus Stroman’s knee flare-up briefly sidelined him, but the rotation has reclaimed form since. Offensively, Stanton’s absence has opened the door for breakout seasons from Trent Grisham and Jasson Domínguez, while Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s oblique strain paved the way for Oswaldo Cabrera to log extra reps. New York’s depth has managed to paper over costly injuries, preserving a 5½-game division lead under manager Aaron Boone.
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Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have endured a remarkable run despite an extensive list of injuries, especially among their starters. At 32–27, the Astros sit just half a game behind Seattle, a testament to their depth and resilience.
Current Injured List:
Infielders: Zach Dezenzo (hand) – 10-day IL
Outfielders: Yordan Alvarez (hand), Pedro Leon (knee), Chas McCormick (oblique), Taylor Trammell (calf) – 10-day IL
Starting Pitchers: Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) – 10-day IL; Ronel Blanco (Tommy John), J.P. France (shoulder), Luis Garcia (Tommy John), Cristian Javier (Tommy John), Hayden Wesneski (Tommy John) – 60-day IL
Without star slugger Yordan Alvarez for over a month, Houston’s offense has leaned on veteran Jose Altuve, rookie Cam Smith, and Jake Meyers. Defenses have adjusted accordingly, while backup outfielders Victor Caratini, Yainer Díaz, and now Dezenzo and Trammell have also joined the IL. The pitching staff finds itself threadbare. Manager Joe Espada continues to shuffle his roster to keep the Astros competitive, but losing so many arms tested even their championship pedigree.
*All stats and records as of June 3.
For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
MLB's 5 Sickest Sick Bays
Injuries have reshaped the landscape of Major League Baseball this season, striking even the most talented rosters. These setbacks test each team's depth, from Baltimore’s depleted rotation to Boston’s gaping lineup holes, and Houston’s empty starting staff to Los Angeles’s rash of Tommy John recoveries. Meanwhile, the Yankees have leaned on organizational strength to maintain their division lead despite losing frontline arms and key hitters.
Let's look at five teams that have been hit the worst with the injury bug and detail the impact of each team’s IL, highlight the players sidelined, and examine how managers are adapting to life without top contributors.
