Athletics get devastating news on Brent Rooker injury

Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Athletics get devastating news on Brent Rooker injury

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 9:09 PM ET

The Athletics' playoff hopes took a major hit Wednesday after a player they expected to be a key contributor down the stretch was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Brent Rooker is set to undergo season-ending surgery

According to A's beat writer Martin Gallegos, Brent Rooker is expected to undergo season-ending surgery to address cartilage in his left knee.

Rooker was placed on the injured list June 12 with what was called a bone bruise in his left knee. He underwent further imaging Wednesday morning, and the decision was made for him to undergo surgery and shut him down for the remainder of the season.

Brent Rooker is set to undergo surgery to address cartilage in his left knee. He will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) July 1, 2026

Brent Rooker had been struggling in a major way this season

Rooker entered 2026 with three consecutive 30-home run seasons, a streak that will now end with the season-ending injury. It had been a major struggle so far this season for Rooker, as he will now finish the year with a poor slash line of .200/.281/389 and a -0.4 WAR.

He had been among the least valuable players in all of baseball, a sign that maybe he hadn't been healthy the entire season.

The A's will need more players to help Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers

The duo of Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers have been outstanding for the A's this season, but not many others have contributed.

With the loss of Rooker for the season and a wide-open race in the American League West, other players of the young core being built will need to step up if the A's hope to reach the postseason for the first time since 2020.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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