Will Klein’s attempt to return during the postseason ultimately gave way to an offseason procedure.
The Dodgers announced that Klein underwent surgery on his right elbow to remove bone chips and clean up a bone spur. Los Angeles expects the right-hander to recover in time for spring training.
That makes Klein’s outlook considerably more encouraging than Dalton Rushing’s following his separate elbow operation.
Rushing faces an approximately nine-month recovery before returning to full-time catching. Klein’s procedure involved removing loose bone fragments and addressing the spur rather than repairing an injured ligament.
Both players underwent right-elbow operations, but they are facing very different rehabilitation timelines.
Klein Tried To Return Without Surgery
Klein had not pitched in a Major League game since July 31.
The Dodgers placed him on the injured list with right-elbow discomfort on August 1. Subsequent imaging revealed bone chips, creating an immediate decision between surgery and attempting to manage the condition through rehabilitation.
Klein initially chose the rehabilitation route.
He eventually progressed far enough to face hitters in live batting practice during September, creating some hope that he could return during the postseason. Because Klein had been transferred to the 60-day injured list, he could not be activated before the end of the regular season.
His potential return depended on the Dodgers advancing and Klein proving he could pitch effectively through the elbow issue.
Neither happened.
Klein was not included on the postseason roster, and the Dodgers’ season ended with a four-game loss to Milwaukee in the National League Championship Series.
With no more games to prepare for, the Dodgers and Klein elected to address the lingering problem surgically.
Klein Was An Important Part Of The 2026 Bullpen
Klein earned a place on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster after his memorable performance during the previous postseason.
He made 36 appearances in 2026, producing a 3.67 ERA with 49 strikeouts across 41⅔ innings. He also recorded two saves while pitching in several different bullpen roles.
His overall numbers were solid, but his performance declined before the elbow injury ended his season.
Klein posted a 6.11 ERA beginning in June and allowed 13 runs—eight earned—over his final six appearances. His control also remained inconsistent, contributing to a 1.56 WHIP for the season.
It would be overly simplistic to attribute every difficult outing to the bone chips. However, the decline in performance, elbow discomfort and eventual surgical decision show that Klein was not operating under normal circumstances by the end of July.
The procedure should give him an opportunity to enter 2027 without attempting to manage the same structural irritation.
His World Series Performance Remains Difficult To Forget
Klein’s place within the organization was established during the 2025 World Series.
The Dodgers acquired him from Seattle during the 2025 season, and he went on to provide five scoreless innings during their championship run.
Four of those innings came during the historic 18-inning Game 3 against Toronto.
With the bullpen depleted and the game stretching deep into the night, Klein gave the Dodgers four scoreless innings under enormous pressure. His performance allowed Los Angeles to continue extending the game until Freddie Freeman ended it with a walk-off home run.
That appearance made Klein an unlikely postseason hero and demonstrated the value his power arsenal can provide when he controls the strike zone.
The Dodgers did not receive another opportunity to use him in October this year, but his 2025 performance remains an important part of his case for a bullpen role next season.
Expected For Spring Training Does Not Guarantee A Roster Spot
The Dodgers expect Klein to be ready when spring training begins.
That projection is encouraging, but there are still several steps between completing the procedure and pitching in a Major League game.
Klein must allow the elbow to heal, rebuild his throwing program and demonstrate that his velocity and command have returned. Any setback could alter the current timetable.
He will also have to compete for a place in what could once again become a crowded Dodgers bullpen.
Klein retains a Minor League option, giving Los Angeles flexibility if he needs additional time or if the club prefers to open the season with a different group of relievers.
Being ready for spring training means he is expected to participate. It does not mean his Opening Day status has already been decided.
Dodgers Still Have Reason To Believe In Klein
Klein’s combination of velocity and strikeout ability remains intriguing.
The challenge has always been converting that raw ability into consistent innings. His walk rate and command can make his appearances unpredictable, but his best performances have shown that he can record important outs against Major League hitters.
Removing the bone chips should give the Dodgers a cleaner opportunity to evaluate him next spring.
The operation was not expected to require the lengthy recovery associated with ligament reconstruction. If his rehabilitation proceeds as planned, Klein should have a normal opportunity to compete for a bullpen role.
Klein still must earn his place in the Dodgers’ 2027 bullpen, but the expectation that he will be ready for spring training gives him a chance to begin that competition on time.