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

[ARobsBrewCrew]

On 6/21/2026 at 8:14 PM, ARobsBrewCrew said:

Nothing serious, just the organization being cautious with some soreness.  The hope is for DSL Gold LHP Santiago Martinez to be back on the mound within two weeks.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t any improvement the past couple of weeks and so the organization opted to shut the southpaw down for now.  At this point, it doesn’t appear that Martinez will return to the mound in 2026, but the belief is that he will not require surgery.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

On 7/3/2026 at 8:23 AM, Jim Goulart said:

Do we have an update on LHP Russell Smith, the 6'7" 51st overall pick in 2021? On the 60-day IL, he's set to perhaps miss a 2nd full season? He had Tommy John after his freshman season at TCU.

Smith is about halfway through his mound progression as he continues to rehab from surgery.  It’s still unknown when he will return to game action, but the towering lefty is holding out hope that he will make an appearance with an affiliate before the end of the season.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

From July 3rd game thread:

”Not only did this impressive lineup (still minus 1B Blake Burke, nursing a lower body injury with an exact nature and severity to be determined)”

Burke is feeling good and expects to be back in the lineup soon, possibly even tomorrow (technically today at this point) or Tuesday.

[Sheets]

Do we know why Meccage is out? I’ve searched and haven’t seen anything definitive but maybe I missed it. TIA!

[ARobsBrewCrew]

My update from mid-May:

”Elbow inflammation for Meccage.  It seems as though he avoided anything too serious, but he’s looking at a return to the mound in a month or two.”

The right-hander has been back at the Arizona complex since that time.

[wiguy94]

Apologies if this has already been answered somewhere. I searched Quero and didn't find anything. Is Quero battling some type of injury keeping him from catching? He hasn't caught a game in nearly two weeks. 

[ARobsBrewCrew]

On 7/6/2026 at 3:29 PM, wiguy94 said:

Apologies if this has already been answered somewhere. I searched Quero and didn't find anything. Is Quero battling some type of injury keeping him from catching? He hasn't caught a game in nearly two weeks. 

Unfortunately, I am limited on what I can share about guys on the 40-man typically, but I have heard that he should be back behind the plate soon.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

RHP Jesus Flores has been out since late April with a grade 3 lat tear.  His first rehab outing is scheduled for August 25.  The belief is that it’s unlikely he will return to an affiliate before the end of the season, but the Arizona Fall League could theoretically be a possibility.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

RHP Johandry Ramirez is in a similar boat to Flores.  The right-hander is also working his way back from a muscle tear.  He was slated to make his stateside debut in 2026, but, with a return to the mound scheduled for August, it is unlikely we will see him in regular season MiLB action this year.

[Ro Mueller]

14 minutes ago, ARobsBrewCrew said:

RHP Johandry Ramirez is in a similar boat to Flores.  The right-hander is also working his way back from a muscle tear.  He was slated to make his stateside debut in 2026, but, with a return to the mound scheduled for August, it is unlikely we will see him in regular season MiLB action this year.

Sounds like a Bridge League (unofficial games post-ACL season) candidate.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

On 6/28/2026 at 9:06 AM, biedergb said:

Did I miss or overlook any updates on Episcope or Cole Phillips?

Episcope, Phillips, and Josh Timmerman all continue to progress from their respective elbow procedures, but each has dealt with some nagging things that have delayed their timelines.  Timmerman is the closest to a return and will begin throwing live to hitters next Friday.  He hopes to be sent out to an affiliate sometime in August.  Episcope is about 2 or 3 weeks from facing hitters while Phillips is still about a month out.  While these timelines, like Ramirez, are pushing the end of the season, there is a greater chance that we see them in the regular season since both are likely ready for Single-A (at least).  For most pitchers returning from major injuries, teams would probably just be happy getting them prepared for a normal offseason which might be the case for Episcope.  However, the organization knows how much Cole Phillips has been through and how eager he is to finally get on the mound in a game and so there is added incentive to get him back and have him throw a couple of times before season’s end as it would mean a great deal to him; a small victory given what he’s been through.  

[TURBO]

Thanks for all the information ARobsBrewCrew!  Much appreciated!

[wiguy94]

Apologies if this has been asked but did Will Rudy have a set back? I thought he was supposed to be back by this point

[ARobsBrewCrew]

2 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

Apologies if this has been asked but did Will Rudy have a set back? I thought he was supposed to be back by this point

He has dealt with extensive shoulder problems throughout his recovery.  Recently, it was discovered that he has a lesion in his shoulder that will require surgery.  Suffice to say that it’s unlikely we will see him pitch this season and his 2027 campaign will likely be impacted as well.

[Ro Mueller]

RHP Bryce Meccage is working his way back: 

 

[ARobsBrewCrew]

On 6/29/2026 at 11:08 AM, Jim Goulart said:

We won't learn anything new for a few days minimum, at that, but we'll plant this post in this thread and see where an eventual update may take us.

 

---

 

Via "Ro's" Sunday night Link Report:

"Biloxi losing while limiting your opponent to two hits may appear like the main story here, but it’s more likely the injury delay and exit of RHP 25-year old RHP Tanner Gillis after issuing a full count walk to open the bottom of the 4th inning with the Shuckers leading 3-0. Pitching on four days’ rest, Gillis had held the Biscuits scoreless over nine innings this week, including three innings in this contest (3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks). While we don’t have news on the exact nature of Gillis’ exit, we will share when we do."

My "research":

For archive subscribers, go to the 01:49:45 hour/minute mark here.

Gillis threw a 1-1 fastball up for ball two, and although it was subtle, he immediately knew something was amiss. Catcher Matthew Wood came right out to the mound, and once the trainer arrived, Gillis (covering his mouth with his glove while on the mound discussing the situation) very quickly exited for the dugout. The whole incident lasted less than a minute.

Have to be honest on this one, I couldn't fathom saying with any confidence at all beyond leaning ever so slightly towards an upper torso strain of some sort, but arm can't be ruled out.

Gillis has a partial UCL tear and is now waiting on a second opinion to determine course of action.  His 2026 season is over, but there is a chance that he might be able to avoid surgery which could potentially save a significant portion of his 2027 campaign.

[Joseph Zarr]

On 7/16/2026 at 10:03 AM, ARobsBrewCrew said:

Gillis has a partial UCL tear and is now waiting on a second opinion to determine course of action.  His 2026 season is over, but there is a chance that he might be able to avoid surgery which could potentially save a significant portion of his 2027 campaign.

Man. That's so tough. He was really having one of the most splendid and under the radar seasons. Maybe he can pick up the Wags post-UCL velo boost. 🤗