MLB Injury Report – Red Sox Lose Another Important Bat

Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Monday, September 7, 2026. In today’s edition, Aaron Judge is set to take a big step forward soon, the Red Sox lose a big piece of their puzzle in Ceddanne Rafaela, and the Dodgers refuse to send Shohei Ohtani to the Injured List as he continues to fight through his ailing body. You can read about all of this and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.

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MLB Injury Report

Ceddanne Rafaela – OF Boston Red Sox

Chad Tracy says Ceddanne Rafaela has "actually improved again," and the expectation is that his IL stint will be minimal ⬇️ https://t.co/WEVW3Rv2Yq pic.twitter.com/uBsA0uzeRJ

— NESN (@NESN) September 6, 2026

The good news here (possibly) is that Rafaela’s quad is improving daily. However, with the situation likely not getting better to the point where he could play, the team decided to place the young outfielder on the Injured List. This move makes sense, as attempting to return and play or coming back early coth could lead to reinjury and to him being absent from the postseason (if they make it). The team is reeling with injuries, but they hope to have him and Willson Contreras back soon enough.

Aaron Judge – OF New York Yankees

Aaron Judge is expected to hit live pitching on Monday against a TBD pitcher(s) at Yankee Stadium on Monday.

Boone added that they will consider some kind of build-up plan that is not a traditional rehab assignment.

“Maybe it's playing a game, having an off day. Maybe it is…

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) September 5, 2026

Facing live hitting will be the next big hurdle for Judge, who could be ready shortly after this. There were some reports of the team wanting him to be built up with the team rather than in a rehab assignment. Still, he won’t be ready just yet, as a few sessions of live pitching could help the Yankees get an idea of whether his body is ready for the grind of a Major League Baseball game. Essentially, the team wants (and needs) him back, with Trent Grisham now on the Injured List for most or all of the remainder of the season with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.

Nathan Eovaldi – SP Texas Rangers

Nathan Eovaldi says he will throw living batting practice Tuesday. He'll most likely come out of the bullpen, not serve as an opener. #Rangers

— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) September 6, 2026

Eovaldi continues to make progress, but this decision is peculiar. Is it being done because of the timing with the end of the season being near, or is this being done because the injury has something more to it that we’re not being told? He comes with an extensive injury history, which always gives me pause with regard to how long he can stay healthy. For now, I’m taking the Rangers at their word and watching as he builds himself up without a rehab assignment and on the mound for Texas through relief appearances.

Luis Robert Jr. – OF Baltimore Orioles

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/QTOjQuPxbW

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 6, 2026

Given the nature of the injury and the clientele that is ailing, this could be the last we see of Robert in 2026, and as a Baltimore Oriole.

Jac Caglianone – OF Kansas City Royals

Per Q, Cags was diagnosed with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his left arm. No activity today and will see how he progresses. Doesn’t seem to be any level of concern this is an IL stint at this time and could see him later this week

— Joel Penfield (@jtpenfield) September 6, 2026

Let’s hope that the team’s lack of concern is warranted and that Caglianone can return soon. That being said, the Royals have nothing to play for other than next year, so if anything new and negative develops, we could see him shut down for the rest of the season, given how important he is to their future.

Shohei Ohtani – SP/DH Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani was swinging during the game today, Dave Roberts said, but the Dodgers want to see how he feels coming in tomorrow. Didn’t report any discomfort during his work today.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 6, 2026

Ohtani’s status is changing daily, with good and bad sessions leading to optimism and worry. It’s hard to gauge where he is because it feels like he doesn’t want to miss any time. It was revealed on the weekend too that if he does go on the Injured List, he would need to miss fifteen days and not ten, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Either way, it feels like the Dodgers will cater to his desire to play, and when he feels close enough to 100%, they will put him into the lineup. It’s unclear when that will happen, but there is a chance that it happens as soon as today. Whether or not he performs up to the standards we’re used to remains to be seen.

Dalton Rushing – C Los Angeles Dodgers

Dave Roberts said Dalton Rushing will get imaging done on his elbow tomorrow. No matter what, this will put a pause on Rushing’s throwing progression.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 6, 2026

There was a glimmer of hope that Rushing would be able to play with Ohtani’s injury. Now that he is having imaging done, chances are that this ends his season, with the possibility of him needing surgery in the offseason.

Ryan O’Hearn – OF Pittsburgh Pirates

Ben Cherington on 93.7 The Fan: The Pirates are hoping Ryan O'Hearn will begin a rehab assignment "early-ish" this coming week. They will determine how long he needs once he begins playing. It's possible he gets activated on the road trip.

— Danny Demilio (@Demilio22) September 6, 2026

There were rumors of O’Hearn being ready to return next weekend, and this news only helps to support it. If he could somehow start a rehab assignment by tomorrow, he could very well be ready to return in time for the start of the Pirates’ weekend series at Chicago to take on the Cubs. Stay tuned.

Justin Steele – SP Chicago Cubs

Justin Steele is finished with his second rehab start for @IowaCubs. 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K. 18 of 27 pitches for strikes and averaged 91 mph with the heater. Ended his day with a strikeout of former Cubs prospect Alfonsin Rosario.

— Jason Kempf (@jkempradio) September 6, 2026

Steele is up to 27 pitches thrown and had himself an efficient day. While it’s promising to see him now having pitched twice, this remains a very tenuous situation that could change on a dime. His return could come within the next few weeks, but don’t expect much other than relief appearances. It’s unclear if he will get into high-leverage situations, though.

Joe Ryan – SP Minnesota Twins

Joe Ryan threw a bullpen today in Chicago and says everything felt good. Derek Shelton says there's a good chance his next start is with the Twins.

— Audra Martin (@Audra_Martin) September 5, 2026

Be prepared!

Nick Pivetta – SP San Diego Padres

Nick Pivetta will come off the injured list tomorrow for a start against the Nationals.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) September 6, 2026

Be prepared!