Injured MLB Stars Return to Swing Playoff Races
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- The MLB trade deadline delivered 42 trades involving 118 players on the final day, but with 23 teams within four games of a playoff spot, returning injured stars may prove more decisive than any deadline deal.
- Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (partially torn right wrist tendon since May 4) began hitting off a pitching machine, while ace Garrett Crochet (shoulder inflammation since late April) started throwing again — yet Boston has won 32 of its last 39 games without them.
- Felix Bautista (Baltimore Orioles) hasn't pitched since July 2025 after shoulder surgery but is throwing live BP, and Ryan Helsley (out since late June with elbow inflammation on a 2-year, $28M deal) has resumed throwing as Baltimore sits two games out of a playoff spot despite trading Adley Rutschman.
- Corbin Burnes (Arizona Diamondbacks) is throwing off a mound after Tommy John surgery in June 2025 and a subsequent shoulder strain, targeting a return before season's end on a 6-year, $210M contract that has yielded just 11 starts to date.
- The Chicago Cubs were the most aggressive deadline buyer for pitching (Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Ryan Zeferjahn) yet still carry four starters and eight relievers on the IL; Edward Cabrera reached 99 mph in his second rehab start while Daniel Palencia began a Triple-A assignment.
- Carlos Correa (Houston Astros), out since May 11 ankle surgery, was cleared to swing a bat this week and hopes to return before season's end, potentially cutting what was thought to be a season-ending recovery in half.
- The Pittsburgh Pirates declined to add offense at the deadline after scoring the second-most runs in the majors, banking on Oneil Cruz (metacarpal fractures, rehab assignment started Friday) and Konnor Griffin (torn sagittal band, targeting early-to-mid September) to fuel their first October run in 11 years.
Why it matters: Muddled standings amplify the leverage of every returning arm and bat: Boston's 32-7 surge without its two best players, Baltimore's playoff push despite trading Adley Rutschman, and Pittsburgh's confidence to stand pat at the deadline all hinge on these players clearing rehab hurdles in the final weeks of the regular season.
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