2026 Injury Updates - Answering Your Questions When Possible (ARobsBrewCrew Thread)

[Jim Goulart]

We are starting a 2026 version of our "Injury Updates" thread. This will be pinned to the top of our Minor League Forum. As our source "ARobsBrewCrew" has indicated in the past -

"Let me know what players you would like injury updates on, and I will do my best to deliver."

Here are reminders about the updates ARob has already provided since the start of 2026 (all separate from our Frank Cairone thread, which is now paused with the most recent update and will stand on its own as a distinct thread.)

1/6: "RHP Jack Hostetler made some throws today for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer. He should be on track to return to game action late in the 2026 season, but, of course, that timeline is very fluid at this point."

1/20: "RHP Josh Knoth is now full-go off of the mound and slated for a normal spring training.  He is one of the numerous talented hurlers returning from injury in 2026 in what is, objectively, the deepest system of young pitching in the sport."

1/28: "Perhaps one of the most intriguing names to follow going forward, I’m happy to share that RHP Cole Phillips (MiLB Rule 5 selection from Seattle) made his first throws coming back from July 2025 surgery after injuring his flexor during a bullpen session while rehabbing from February 2024 Tommy John surgery (his second TJ).  Phillips has yet to make his professional debut after being drafted by the Braves in the 2nd round of the 2022 Draft."

***

Occasionally we may see an update from someone other than ARob in this thread. I can report that RHP Chase Costello (last pitched for Biloxi on May 23rd) had Tommy John surgery early fall 2025 and he will be out this entire coming season. He has been rehabbing and doing amazingly well at the training facility in Arizona. Indications are he'll be back and as strong as ever next year.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Any news on Sean Episcope?

[snoogans8056]

Juan Ortuno.

The stats always look crazy, but he’s always hurt. He’s low enough in the minors, and on prospect lists, to get lost in the wash.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

2 hours ago, snoogans8056 said:

Juan Ortuno.

The stats always look crazy, but he’s always hurt. He’s low enough in the minors, and on prospect lists, to get lost in the wash.

I had reported last summer that Ortuño missed a good chunk of time with shoulder inflammation, and that was actually something that he dealt with throughout the entire season.  At this point, he is fully healthy going into spring training and is set to begin the year with Single-A Wilson.

[Joseph Zarr]

2 hours ago, ARobsBrewCrew said:

I had reported last summer that Ortuño missed a good chunk of time with shoulder inflammation, and that was actually something that he dealt with throughout the entire season.  At this point, he is fully healthy going into spring training and is set to begin the year with Single-A Wilson.

[snoogans8056]

Is there anyone in the system that we’d be surprised at how giddy the front office is over them? Basically someone they’re calling their shot on?

Sorry, I get antsy when this forum goes a day without a post.

[CheeseheadInQC]

The minor league recap podcasts reminded me about a couple of guys. Do you have any information on two players who haven’t pitched stateside but had some hype upon signing: Dalvin Bodre and Luis Aguayo?

[ARobsBrewCrew]

@snoogans8056 @CheeseheadInQC Just wanted to clarify, are these questions directed at me or did you mean to put these in the podcast question thread?

[CheeseheadInQC]

11 minutes ago, ARobsBrewCrew said:

@snoogans8056 @CheeseheadInQC Just wanted to clarify, are these questions directed at me or did you mean to put these in the podcast question thread?

To you, sorry. The podcast just reminded me that these guys missed the season. 

[snoogans8056]

25 minutes ago, ARobsBrewCrew said:

@snoogans8056 @CheeseheadInQC Just wanted to clarify, are these questions directed at me or did you mean to put these in the podcast question thread?

More to you as someone with an ear to the wall. But now after re-reading the post, it seems to be strictly injury related questions.

[Jim Goulart]

4 minutes ago, snoogans8056 said:

It seems to be strictly injury related questions.

Correct for the purpose of this thread.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

1 hour ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

The minor league recap podcasts reminded me about a couple of guys. Do you have any information on two players who haven’t pitched stateside but had some hype upon signing: Dalvin Bodre and Luis Aguayo?

Both missed the ‘25 season with TJ surgery, and both are expected to be ready for the start of the DSL/ACL seasons.  Personally, while I think they each have good stuff, I am especially excited to see what Aguayo looks like.  He held his own as a 16-year-old (!!!) in a couple of Mexican leagues in 2024 where he was 12-14 years younger than his average competitor.  I believe the plan for Aguayo is to head straight to Arizona and skip the DSL.  Bodre is likely to be held back in the DSL (similar to Wande Torres in 2024) just to regain his footing after the injury last year and a rocky pro debut the year prior.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

2 hours ago, snoogans8056 said:

Is there anyone in the system that we’d be surprised at how giddy the front office is over them? Basically someone they’re calling their shot on?

Sorry, I get antsy when this forum goes a day without a post.

I’ll bend the rules of this thread just this once, and maybe it’s not surprising given he has a good amount of hype, but, after Jesús Made, Cooper Pratt is THE guy in the organization.  From everything I have heard, he is viewed as highly as anyone else in the system.  Perhaps a more “surprising” take was that just last week I heard Matt Kleine talk about Dylan O’Rae being the most underrated prospect currently in the system

[snoogans8056]

How do they go about rehab? In my head it’s a room of Knoth, Broughton, etc. all rehabbing together. Or do they do that independently, closer to home?

[ARobsBrewCrew]

7 hours ago, snoogans8056 said:

How do they go about rehab? In my head it’s a room of Knoth, Broughton, etc. all rehabbing together. Or do they do that independently, closer to home?

During the season, the activity at the Maryvale complex is a mix of the actual ACL team and a sizable rehab group of up to 20 players or more.  Many players do rehab together (for example pitchers that are recovering from Tommy John), but, of course, these individuals are often at different points in their recovery process.  There are times, mainly during the offseason, when players complete parts of their rehab (or spend some of the recovery period after surgery) at home & in facilities close to where they live, but, the vast majority of the time, the injuries that require lengthy rehab processes are handled at the complex in Arizona.  The same is true for players at the Dominican academy, but it’s a much smaller group of rehabbing players typically.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

On 2/1/2026 at 7:58 AM, ClosetBrewerFan said:

Any news on Sean Episcope?

Episcope has begun a throwing program and is expecting to get off of a mound for the first time since surgery during the first week of March.  At this point, the timeline is still very flexible, but that would likely put him on track to make his pro debut mid-season, sometime in the first half depending on how optimistic one wishes to be.

[wibadgers23]

This is more of a comment than a question but here's hoping to a healthier 2026 down on the farm.  2025 felt like a nightmare of injuries pretty much all year.  Thanks for the updates, @ARobsBrewCrew!

[ARobsBrewCrew]

“RHP Yorman Galindez required another elbow procedure and will not pitch this season.  Arizona Fall League is a possibility for the right-hander”

Following up on my previous update from mid-July: I confirmed today that Galindez is 100% and on track for a normal spring training/season in 2026.  He’s one of the many intriguing arms that missed the ‘25 season who will be fascinating to follow this year.

[snoogans8056]

Any guys come to mind that were a bit more banged up last year than we’d have known? Maybe expecting more from this year with better health luck?

[ARobsBrewCrew]

4 hours ago, snoogans8056 said:

Any guys come to mind that were a bit more banged up last year than we’d have known? Maybe expecting more from this year with better health luck?

Honestly, most, if not all, players deal with nagging injuries and soreness throughout the year.  If it’s something that they are able to play through, usually you don’t really hear too much about it.  I have shared how Juan Ortuño was dealing with shoulder inflammation the entire season, even when he was “healthy” and playing in games.  A few other names that come to mind that were playing through some minor issues that might have affected their performances were Braylon Payne, Carlos Rodriguez, and Filippo Di Turi.  There’s also guys like Quero, Boeve, Hayden Robinson, etc that were just not completely 100% recovered from major procedures/injuries that I expect to bounce back to previous levels in 2026.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

Outfielder Gerlyn Payano, a top international signing from a year ago, missed the majority of the 2025 season with a hamate injury.  The 18-year-old will get his first extended professional experience in 2026 although it remains to be seen if that will be in the DSL or ACL.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

RHP Daniel Corniel only appeared in one game for the Timber Rattlers in 2025 due to injury.  He underwent Tommy John surgery and is expecting to return to game action in early June.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, Jim Goulart said:

 

Wilken is unfortunately turning into one of those very talented players who always seems to have a nagging something. I do wonder aloud if we'll ever see him healthy for a meaningful stretch of time. Let's just hope it is nagging and nothing serious! Garabito's injury is a very real bummer. He was likely to be knocking on the door and really needed innings to carve a role in the organization. Looks like we'll see him in July? Ouch.

[biedergb]

1 hour ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Wilken is unfortunately turning into one of those very talented players who always seems to have a nagging something. I do wonder aloud if we'll ever see him healthy for a meaningful stretch of time. Let's just hope it is nagging and nothing serious! Garabito's injury is a very real bummer. He was likely to be knocking on the door and really needed innings to carve a role in the organization. Looks like we'll see him in July? Ouch.

Wilken - wow that's crazy. The interview he had with Rosiak a few days ago, he made it sound like he's doing well. This kid is snake-bitten.  I will root for him, but he is starting to feel like a Garret Mitchell in that he has the abilities, but as they say "A player's best ability is his availability".

Garabito - yikes. I would assume that happened after he was signed.

Berroa - maybe too many fist pumps on his outfield catches this winter 😉. Seriously hope he gets better.