Guardians Announce Brennan (Elbow), Walters (Lat) Will Undergo Surgery
The injury bug continues to bite the Cleveland Guardians, as the team announced today that outfielder Will Brennan and pitcher Tanner Walters will both undergo surgery for injuries sustained during recent team activities. The news comes as a major setback for a club that has remained competitive in the AL Central but has struggled to maintain consistency due to frequent trips to the injured list.
Brennan, a key figure in Cleveland’s outfield rotation, will undergo surgery on his right elbow after team doctors identified structural damage following continued discomfort during batting practice. Brennan, who had been a steady contributor both offensively and defensively, was slashing .263/.312/.396 with five home runs and 27 RBIs before being sidelined. The Guardians have not offered a precise timetable for his return, but early indications suggest he could miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
“Will is a tough competitor, and this wasn’t an easy decision,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “But we’re thinking long-term and making sure he gets right. We’re confident he’ll come back stronger.”
Meanwhile, Tanner Walters, a promising right-handed reliever who was in the midst of carving out a more permanent role in the bullpen, is set to undergo surgery to repair a lat strain that has worsened over the past few weeks. Walters, a 2022 draftee, had made several impressive appearances this season with a 3.40 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in limited action. However, persistent tightness and pain in his throwing side prompted further imaging, which confirmed the need for surgical intervention.
Losing both Brennan and Walters adds more pressure to an already thin Guardians roster, particularly with the team fighting to stay within striking distance of the division lead. In the short term, Cleveland is expected to turn to David Fry and Johnathan Rodriguez to help fill the outfield void, while additional bullpen help could be promoted from Triple-A Columbus.
With both surgeries scheduled to take place within the next week, the Guardians will shift focus to rehabilitation timelines and finding depth options to stabilize the roster for the stretch run.
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