Sources told ESPN that Athletics All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee while running the bases and could miss the remainder of the 2026 season. He will decide whether to undergo surgery; if he does, he would likely be sidelined through year‑end. The injury is expected to end any trade talks around Langeliers, who was regarded as one of the best catchers in baseball despite the Athletics not planning to move him before the Aug. 3 deadline.

At 44‑60 with an MLB‑worst minus‑122 run differential, Oakland has struggled, mainly due to a 5.37 ERA pitching staff. Offensively, the team has lost slugger Brent Rooker to season‑ending knee surgery and dealt with injuries to Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson. Yet Shea Langeliers has been the team’s heartbeat, hitting .263/.332/.497 with 23 home runs and 51 RBIs over 93 games, throwing out 11 of 35 attempted base‑stealers. Backup Jonah Heim, a former All‑Star who has filled in well, will assume full‑time catching duties.

Acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the 2022 Matt Olson trade, Langeliers has blossomed offensively, posting elite power for a catcher. Since taking over as Oakland’s full‑time catcher in 2023, only Cal Raleigh has more home runs than his 105 career homers with the club. He was on pace to become just the third catcher in MLB history with three straight seasons of at least 29 homers, a trajectory now halted by the knee injury.