OAKLAND, Calif.– Oakland Athletics left-hander A.J. Puk was put on the 10-day hurt list since of a stretched shoulder Monday and traveled to Los Angeles to be taken a look at by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Puk, a top prospect expected to be in the As rotation once healthy, was troubled by the problem months earlier throughout spring training.
He felt it in a current intrasquad game and had his outing cut brief. Right-hander Daniel Mengden will fill the spot at the back end of the As rotation, manager Bob Melvin stated prior to an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants.
2 Related” The reality that we have to put him on the DL immediately, certainly theres a level of issue,” Melvin stated. “We wish to ensure we get this right before we toss him back out there once again.”
The Giants, meanwhile, will be missing out on 2 key members of their infield for Opening Day on Thursday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Baseman Brandon Belt is nursing a sore right heel, and 3rd baseman Evan Longoria has a moderate oblique pressure on the right side.
” I do not believe its sensible at this point being so close that either Brandon or Evan are going to be prepared for Opening Day,” supervisor Gabe Kapler said Monday. Were hustling to get those men prepared as quickly as possible, but without the complete intensity running reps that Brandon and Evan require, theyre just not quite going to be prepared for the Opening Day project against the Dodgers.
San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence was held out of Mondays lineup as a precaution. He has actually been troubled by swelling in his best foot.
He got some live representatives today at the ballpark earlier and a good practice session in. Part of this is just staging out the development to Opening Day at this point. … Were actually believing about getting guys to Opening Day as healthy as possible.”
” I dont think its practical at this point being so close that either Brandon or Evan are going to be all set for Opening Day,” manager Gabe Kapler stated Monday. Were hustling to get those guys ready as rapidly as possible, however without the full strength running representatives that Brandon and Evan need, theyre simply not quite going to be all set for the Opening Day project against the Dodgers. … Were really thinking about getting people to Opening Day as healthy as possible.”
