2026 Injury Report: Updates on Marte, Pepiot, Walls

For most of the league, there are only two days left until 2026 Opening Day. And for the Rays, Tampa Bay took a big hit to its rotation. Ryan Pepiot will miss the start of the year thanks to a hip injury, one of several injury-related notes.

Marte scratched

The Diamondbacks withheld infielder Ketel Marte from the team’s final preseason game on March 24 against the Guardians.

Per manager Torey Lovullo, it was due to soreness. It’s not expected to be an issue for the regular season.

Pepiot & Walls to start on IL

The Rays will be without pitcher Ryan Pepiot and infielder Taylor Walls to start the 2026 season.

Pepiot will begin the season on the 15-day IL thanks to hip inflammation. It’ll mean that Joe Boyle, who was optioned to the Minors earlier this month, will slot into the Rays’ rotation and pitch during Tampa’s opening weekend series against the Cardinals.

As for Walls, he’ll start the year on the IL thanks to an oblique injury, which was confirmed by the team late last week.

Carson Williams, also optioned earlier in the month, will be the team’s starting shortstop to start 2026 (h/t Tampa Bay Times).

Edman won’t be back for first third

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated on March 23 that the team is looking at a late-May return for infielder Tommy Edman.

Edman is currently out as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery.

Other news

The Nationals placed pitcher Paxton Schultz on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation.

Athletics pitcher Gunnar Hoglund was placed on the 15-day IL with a sprained right knee.

The Braves placed pitcher Joey Wentz on the 60-day IL with an ACL tear.

Akil Baddoo (Brewers), Beau Brieske (Tigers – adductor strain), Josiah Gray (Nationals – flexor strain), and Hunter Greene (Reds – elbow surgery) were also placed on the 60-day IL.