Kahlil Watson Eyes a Bigger Guardians Role After Surgery
Cleveland outfielder Kahlil Watson had surgery for a core muscle injury on October 20 and is aiming to return to play in 2027. After a brief major-league stint in 2026, he will have another chance to contend for an outfield spot once healthy.
Watson made his major-league debut in 2026 after a strong start at Triple-A Columbus. Across 56 games there, he hit .255 with a .370 on-base percentage and .491 slugging percentage, adding 12 doubles, 12 home runs, 35 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.
The 23-year-old appeared in 27 games for Cleveland, totaling 91 plate appearances. He hit .239/.264/.341, with six doubles and one home run. His strikeouts and limited production at the plate leave room to improve, but his time with the Guardians gave the club a look at his power, speed and outfield ability.
The team announced on October 22 that Watson had undergone surgery to repair a bilateral core muscle injury, also described as a sports hernia. He began rehabilitation in Goodyear, Arizona, with a typical return-to-play period of eight to 12 weeks. He is expected to be sidelined through the end of 2026 before building back toward a full workload in 2027.
Watson has two minor-league options remaining, giving Cleveland flexibility as he works toward another opportunity. He is not expected to displace Cleveland outfielders DeLauter, Adell or Kwan in a leading outfield role, but could compete for a reserve spot as the team weighs its options for next season.