The journey to the playoffs has become a battle of survival.

As we approach late August, the landscape of Major League Baseball is strewn with the remains of underperforming teams. Six teams appeared set to achieve 100 wins at midseason, but that figure may dwindle to zero by the end of September.

The reasons for this drop-off are plentiful, and many are genuine. The injured list has featured numerous star pitchers from the season’s outset. However, as the season races toward a conclusion, it’s evident that some squads are facing more significant injury woes than others.

Here’s a review of nine teams that have been severely impacted by injuries, along with their prospects for improved health as the season progresses:

1. Atlanta Braves

Out for the season: RH Spencer Strider (reconstructive elbow surgery on April 13); OF Ronald Acuña Jr. (torn right ACL on May 26); LHP A.J. Minter (hip surgery on Aug. 13)

Extended absence: 2B Ozzie Albies (left wrist fracture on July 21, out until mid-September); 3B Austin Riley (right hand fracture on Aug. 19, out for the remainder of the regular season).

Day-to-day issues: OF Jorge Soler (hamstring, day-to-day); C Travis d’Arnaud (wrist, day-to-day).

Status update: They had the most significant injuries with Strider and Acuña’s losses, followed by Albies and Riley’s injuries further depleting their roster. On a positive note, pitchers Max Fried and Reynaldo Lopez have returned from the injured list. The downside? They currently hold a slim two-game lead for the last wild-card spot. Things are heating up.

2. Baltimore Orioles

Out for the season: INF Jorge Mateo (elbow, July 24); RH Kyle Bradish (Tommy John surgery on June 19); RH Tyler Wells (elbow reconstruction surgery on June 17); LH John Means (Tommy John surgery on June 13); RH Felix Bautista (Tommy John surgery, expected in October 2023).

Extended absence: RH Zach Eflin (shoulder inflammation on Aug. 20, out until September); RH Grayson Rodriguez (mild right lat strain on Aug. 10, out until September); INF Jordan Westburg (right hand fracture on July 31, out until September); LH Danny Coulombe (elbow surgery on June 19, out until mid-September); OF Heston Kjerstad (concussion on Aug. 7, out indefinitely)

Day-to-day issues: RH Jacob Webb (elbow inflammation on Aug. 7).

Status update: They attempted to fill the gaps by acquiring Corbin Burnes for the rotation. They also brought in Eflin and Trevor Rogers to cushion the blow of losing Bradish, Means, and Wells for the season. However, with the quick succession of injuries to Eflin and Rodriguez, their September injury report will significantly impact the AL pennant race. The health of their two right-handers, Westburg and Coulombe, could determine if they sneak into the playoffs or emerge as World Series contenders.

3. Houston Astros

Out for the season: RH Cristian Javier (Tommy John surgery on June 16); RH Jose Urquidy (Tommy John surgery on June 7); RH J.P. France (shoulder surgery on July 2); RH Luis Garcia (recovering from Tommy John surgery); RH Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm issues).

Extended absence: OF Kyle Tucker (right shin contusion on June 7, out until at least September); RH Kendall Graveman (shoulder surgery in January, possible return in late September).

Day-to-day issues: RH Ryan Pressly (lower back strain on Aug. 14, expected back next week).

Status update: With Justin Verlander now back, it’s easy to overlook how many arms they had sidelined before summer began. However, Tucker’s lengthy recovery from a shin injury has been a concern—a recovery that now seems set to take three months. The Astros are hoping he can regain his form in time for the postseason.

4. New York Yankees

Out for the season: RH Jonathan Loaisiga (Tommy John surgery on April 6)

Extended absence: RH Clarke Schmidt (right lat strain on May 31, out until September); INF/OF Jazz Chisholm (left elbow ligament tear on Aug. 14, out for at least another week); RHP Ian Hamilton (right lat strain on June 18, out until next week); 1B Anthony Rizzo (right forearm fracture on June 18, out indefinitely)

Day-to-day issues: RH Luis Gil (lower back strain on Aug. 20, out until at least Sept. 5)

Status update: The rotation has managed without Schmidt, largely thanks to Gerrit Cole’s return and Nestor Cortes’ and Marcus Stroman’s ability to maintain performance. However, the team’s chances for division and playoffs would significantly improve if Schmidt completes his recovery from a lat strain and returns to his effective form of a 2.52 ERA. Chisholm’s injury hurt after his impactful return from the trade deadline, but he is on track to rejoin the team in September.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers

Out for the season: RH River Ryan (Tommy John surgery on Aug. 13); RH Dustin May (esophagus surgery on July 13); RH Emmet Sheehan (reconstructive elbow surgery on May 16); RH Tony Gonsolin (Tommy John surgery on Feb. 9).

Extended absence: RH Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder and triceps issues, June 16, unavailable until September)

Injury Update: Right-Handed Tyler Glasnow (elbow tendinitis, August 19, aiming to return September 1); Right-Handed Blake Treinen (hip, August 5, expected back this week); Infielder/Outfielder Chris Taylor (left groin strain, July 25, anticipated return this week); Catcher Austin Barnes (toe, August 19, projected return August 30).

Future Prospects: This has been a tough season for the organization’s younger pitchers. In addition to several career-ending injuries, the focus is now on Glasnow, who has taken another stint on the injured list after reaching 134 innings, which is 14 innings over his previous personal best, along with Yamamoto. The $325 million player was slated for a two-inning simulated game, paving the way for a rehab assignment that should start next week, just as September arrives.

6. Milwaukee Brewers

Out for the Season: Outfielder Christian Yelich (back surgery, July 25); Right-Handed Brandon Woodruff (shoulder, March 24); Left-Handed Wade Miley (reconstructive elbow surgery, May 7); Left-Handed Robert Gasser (Tommy John surgery, June 26).

Injured for an Extended Period: Right-Handed Enoli Paredes (forearm tendinitis, July 3, expected back in September); Left-Handed Hoby Milner (shoulder impingement, August 11, expected back in September).

Short-Term Setbacks: Outfielder Blake Perkins (right calf strain, August 12, expected back this week).

Future Prospects: Losing Yelich is a significant blow, as he was having his best season since finishing runner-up in the MVP voting in 2019, boasting an OPS of .909 (151 adjusted). While injuries have affected the pitching lineup, the Brewers have plenty of depth to draw from and currently hold an 11½-game lead in the NL Central.

7. Minnesota Twins

Out for the Season: Right-Handed Joe Ryan (teres major shoulder strain, August 9); Right-Handed Brock Stewart (shoulder surgery, July 31); Right-Handed Anthony Desclafani (flexor tendon surgery).

INJURY REPORT: Shortstop Carlos Correa (heel, July 20, expected back in September); Outfielder Alex Kiriloff (back and ankle, June 18, expected back in September); Right-Handed Chris Paddack (forearm strain, July 14, sidelined until at least late September).

Short-Term Setbacks: Center Fielder Byron Buxton (right hip inflammation, August 13, expected back this weekend); Infielder Brooks Lee (right biceps tendinitis, expected back next week).

Future Prospects: Surprisingly, the team has performed well even without Correa, winning 11 of 19 games this month and challenging first-place Cleveland. However, Ryan’s injury could have significant ramifications for their playoff chances, even though he might have a slim opportunity to return. Paddack could also come back as a playoff reliever, similar to last year.

8. San Diego Padres

Long-Term Injuries: Right Fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (right quadricep, June 24, out until at least mid-September); Right-Handed Yu Darvish (restricted list, groin, elbow, May 29, uncertain return); Left-Handed Wandy Peralta (left thigh strain, July 12, expected back by September)

Short-Term Setbacks: Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (right shoulder inflammation, August 19, expected back by September)

Future Prospects: It may seem odd for the Padres to be included in this injury update, considering their impressive record of 22-6 since the All-Star break. However, it is remarkable that they have accomplished this without Tatis and Darvish. There is still no clear timeline for Tatis’s return as he slowly ramps up his activities following a femoral stress reaction. His return would significantly enhance the team’s lineup. Meanwhile, Darvish has been reported to be throwing during his time on the restricted list, although his potential return remains uncertain.

9. Arizona Diamondbacks

Out for the Season: Left-Handed Kyle Nelson (thoracic outlet surgery)

Injured for an Extended Period: First Baseman Christian Walker (oblique, July 30, expected back in September); Catcher Gabriel Moreno (left adductor strain, August 6, out until late September).

Short-Term Setbacks: Second Baseman Ketel Marte (sprained ankle, August 19, expected back in September).

Future Prospects: A silver lining to Walker’s injury is that it coincided with the trade deadline, enabling the team to acquire veteran Josh Bell, who has offered four home runs and a solid OPS of .769. This also allows Walker the necessary time to recover without the pressure to rush back from his problematic oblique strain.