Will Klein’s Dodgers Playoff Role in Doubt After Injury Decision

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Will Klein is on the injured list with right elbow soreness, but rather than opt for surgery, he is going to try to rest his arm and come back this season.

Klein struggled immensely, leading to an IL stint a week ago. Now, he has been found to have loose bodies in his elbow, though he is choosing a rest-oriented method instead of surgery.

He is going to start a throwing program soon, Klein said to the media, including Dodgers Nation.

Loose bodies — an ailment that has led to Blake Snell and Edwin Diaz going through surgery, along with new addition Tarik Skubal — require surgery to fully treat and tend to have a recovery time of 2-3 months.

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Jul 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Will Klein (61) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

They stem from parts of the elbow bone chipping away and causing irration/inflammation.

Klein is feeling good after taking a break from throwing, tamping down the inflammation, and he is going to be throwing plyo balls as part of his recovery.

While pitchers can battle through loose bodies in their elbows, at some point surgery will be needed, especially if their performance drops as a result of the increased irritation.

Considering how poorly Klein was doing before heading to the injured list, there are serious questions about his viability in the stretch run of the season.

Why Will Klein’s postseason status is still uncertain​

He had a sensational start to the season, with a 2.77 ERA in March and April and a 0.82 ERA in May. Klein can point to this as what he can do when his elbow is not flaring up.

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Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Will Klein reacts after the end of the eighteenth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

However, in June, Klein showed the downside of having a pitcher battling loose bodies, with a 4.32 ERA in 8.1 innings, and followed it up with a 7.71 ERA in 9.1 innings in July.

Klein’s fastball velocity dropped, his command got shaky, and the pitch movement was not as present.

While Klein, known for his resilience in the clubhouse, can push to be available, he will need to prove that he can be effective.

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