2026 Injury Report: Updates on Pena, Walker, Woodruff

Houston took two hits on July 18, as both Jeremy Pena and Christian Walker had to exit with injuries. Meanwhile, in Milwaukee, Brandon Woodruff’s 2026 season came to an unfortunate end, as the right-hander suffered another season-ending injury.

Pena & Walker exit with injuries

Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena exited in the fourth inning on July 18 with a hamstring cramp.

Pena came out of his stance awkwardly after swinging at a foul ball and was checked by the training staff afterwards.

Christian Walker, meanwhile, was pulled with right hip soreness.

Woodruff done for 2026

Brandon Woodruff is done for 2026, as he’s set to undergo the same shoulder procedure that he did in 2023.

That likely means that Woodruff will miss all of 2027, as well. Woodruff indicated, though, that he does intend to continue pitching.

That wasn’t the only bad news for the Brewers. Brice Turang was scratched from the team’s game on July 18 thanks to right foot soreness. Plus, one of their outfielders went on the IL.

IL moves

The Diamondbacks placed outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on the 10-day IL with a right adductor strain.

Athletics reliever Justin Sterner went on the 15-day IL with right knee chondromalacia.

Rockies pitcher Jeff Criswell went on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder strain.

Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick was placed on the IL with a right shoulder strain.

Aaron Judge (rib) was transferred to the 60-day IL.

Rehab assignments

The Gwinnett Stripers had three rehabbers. Ronald Acuna Jr. went 1-3 with a walk. Ha-Seong Kim went 1-4 with a strikeout. AJ Smith-Shawver struck out five over 4.1 scoreless innings (72 pitches). Smith-Shawver averaged 97 MPH and topped out at 99 MPH.

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell struck out four over 1.1 IP (32 pitches) for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Snell averaged 95 MPH and topped out at 96 MPH.

Twins pitcher Marco Raya struck out two and allowed two runs over one inning for Triple-A St. Paul.

Mariners outfielder Rob Refsnyder went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout for Triple-A Tacoma.

White Sox pitcher Drew Thorpe struck out three over scoreless innings for the team’s ACL affiliate.

Other notes

Marlins infielder Otto Lopez will get his right ring finger tested after he appeared to injure it while fielding a groundball. He did stay in the game (h/t MLB.com)