ANAHEIM -- Gunnar Hoglund’s 2026 season is over before it even began.
The Athletics announced on Wednesday afternoon that Hoglund, rated the club’s No. 18 prospect by MLB Pipeline, underwent successful left hip surgery on May 19 with Dr. Marc Philippon in Vail, Colo. The procedure involved a hip labral repair and cartilage debridement to address femoroacetabular impingement, which will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season.
As bright a talent as Hoglund was at the time he was drafted by the Blue Jays 19th overall out of the University of Mississippi in 2021, injuries have, unfortunately, been the tale of his professional career. He headlined the prospect package acquired from Toronto by the A’s in exchange for Matt Chapman in 2022 while still recovering from Tommy John surgery before getting to a good place with his health in ’23. Finally debuting in the big leagues in ’25, Hoglund made six starts for the A’s before a similar hip injury led to season-ending surgery last June.
Hoglund, 26, entered this Spring Training dealing with a knee sprain, then later developed a back issue that eventually turned into a left hip impingement that landed him on the injured list to begin the regular season.
“I talked to Gunnar before we left on this road trip,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said before Wednesday’s game against the Angels at Angel Stadium. “It’s just unfortunate for him. He’s done everything he possibly can to be on the field. When you go through rehab like he’s gone through, they’re trying times.”
Kotsay reflected on his own struggles with back issues, which led to two back surgeries late into his career in 2007 and ’09. He made a full recovery from both, going on to play until his age 37 season in 2013.
“I’ve been there with my back, personally,” Kotsay said. “To have a setback like this and a second surgery as well, there’s still optimism. You just have to believe. That’s the conversation I had with Gunnar.”
Hoglund was expected to be a strong competitor in a battle for the A’s final rotation spot this spring. Had he lost out on that job, he would have provided valuable starting depth at Triple-A Las Vegas with a good chance to contribute to the big league club at some point this season. Now, he’ll immediately begin his rehab process, with a hope that he can make a full recovery in time for 2027 Spring Training.
“As hard as it seems right now, the work that you put in based on this rigorous process to get back to being healthy, to go through it a second time, you know the challenges now,” Kotsay said. “You just have to put your head down and grind and believe that you’re going to get back out there and give yourself a chance to continue your career.”