MLB Injury Updates: Eovaldi, Musgrove, Callihan Ready for 2026

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In professional sports, injuries can really shake up a season. This feels especially true in Major League Baseball (MLB), where the grind of the game sometimes puts star players out of action for weeks—or even longer.

Lately, the MLB community has been buzzing about updates on a few big names stuck on the injury list. Let’s dig into what’s going on with Nathan Eovaldi, Joe Musgrove, and Callihan, and what it might mean for their teams as the 2026 season rolls on.

Table of Contents

Injury Update: Nathan Eovaldi

Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers’ ace, has played a huge role in their recent success. Now, though, reports say Eovaldi’s dealing with a shoulder problem that could keep him out for a big chunk of the season.

It’s tough news, especially considering Eovaldi’s history with arm issues. The Rangers’ front office says they’re hopeful, but honestly, they’re bracing for the worst.

Impact on the Rangers

Losing Eovaldi could really hurt the Rangers’ pitching rotation. His fastball and veteran presence are tough to replace.

Now, the team has to lean harder on their bullpen and other starters. That means younger, less-tested arms might get thrown into the deep end, and you have to wonder how they’ll handle it.

Potential Replacements

With Eovaldi out, the Rangers are already looking at ways to patch the gap. They’re considering a few approaches:

Promoting from within: They have some promising pitchers down in the farm system who might get the call-up.
Free agent signings: Maybe they’ll dip into the free agent pool for a steady veteran arm.
Trade opportunities: Trades are always an option if things get desperate as the season unfolds.

Joe Musgrove’s Setback

San Diego Padres starter Joe Musgrove has landed in the spotlight thanks to a new injury. Musgrove, usually a reliable presence, now faces a wrist issue that’s got fans and coaches worried.

Doctors are still figuring out just how bad it is, but early word is Musgrove could miss several weeks. Not exactly what the Padres wanted to hear.

Padres’ Contingency Plans

The Padres have dealt with their share of injuries before, so they’re not panicking. They’re already putting together a plan to get through Musgrove’s absence:

Utilizing the bullpen: Their bullpen is solid and can pick up some of the slack for now.
Spot starters: They might rotate in some spot starters to buy time until Musgrove heals up.
Minor league call-ups: There’s always the option to bring up a fresh arm from the minors for a few starts.

Callihan’s Unexpected Injury

Now for the Reds—Callihan, one of their breakout stars, just got hit with an injury that could really throw off his season. He’s known for being versatile and bringing real pop to the lineup, but now he’s dealing with a hamstring strain.

Hamstrings are tricky. If the team rushes him back, he could end up missing even more time, so it’s a delicate situation.

Reds’ Response

The Reds are playing it safe with Callihan. They know pushing him could do more harm than good.

In the meantime, they’re looking at a few ways to keep things moving:

Lineup adjustments: They might shuffle the lineup, giving other guys a chance to step up.
Defensive replacements: Some utility players could fill in on defense while Callihan recovers.
Offensive strategies: Maybe they’ll tweak their offensive approach to make up for his missing bat.

Conclusion

Injuries come with the territory in pro sports. Teams have to react fast, or their seasons can spiral.

Losing players like Nathan Eovaldi, Joe Musgrove, and Callihan really tests how deep a roster goes. It also exposes how much a team has planned ahead—or maybe how much they just have to wing it sometimes.

With the 2026 MLB season underway, fans and analysts are definitely keeping an eye on how these teams handle the pressure. If you want a deeper dive into the latest updates, check out the full report on MLB Trade Rumors.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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