ARLINGTON - The Athletics’ injury list got a little longer Tuesday night, even on a day when they were finally getting some good news.
Tommy White left in the second inning against the Rangers at Globe Life Field after swinging through a pitch from MacKenzie Gore and immediately showing discomfort. The 23-year-old rookie winced, reached for his left side and then had a brief exchange with head athletic trainer Jeff Collins and manager Mark Kotsay before walking to the dugout. Michael Stefanic came on as a pinch-hitter in the middle of the at-bat, and the club later said White had been removed with lower back tightness.
That came on the same day the A’s welcomed back Denzel Clarke, who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday and played in his first Major League game since April 20. Clarke had been the club’s Opening Day center fielder, so his return was a bright spot for a team that badly needs them.
Even with Clarke back, the A’s are still dealing with a crowded injured list. They now have 11 players sidelined, including six of the 10 players who were in their Opening Day lineup, among them starter Luis Severino. White could become the 12th if the back issue keeps him out for any length of time.
White has been part of the roster because of those injuries, and he has done enough to hold his own. Through his first 39 games, he was hitting .255 with two home runs, five doubles and eight RBIs entering Tuesday.
If White has to miss time, the A’s have a few ways to patch third base, his primary position. Zack Gelof, Max Muncy and Darell Hernaiz are all options on the active roster, and the club could also turn to Triple-A Las Vegas for help, including Joey Meneses.
In Other News...
As September Slide Is Starting To Raise A Bigger Concern
A late-season stumble is starting to feel a little more pointed for the Athletics after they dropped the series opener to the Rangers, 8-1, on Monday night. The loss pushed Oakland to four straight defeats and turned what had been a difficult stretch into a sharper concern, especially with the offense mostly quiet against Jacob deGrom and the game getting away early.
Rookie Gage Jump was hit hard in the start, and the As are still sorting through what comes next on the mound. They have not announced a starter for the next game after skipping J.T. Ginn, while the Rangers are set to come back with MacKenzie Gore, leaving Oakland with another important decision to make as the slide keeps building. [Read more 🡒]
Denzel Clarkes Return Could Create A New As Outfield Dilemma
Denzel Clarke is finally on track to rejoin the Athletics as rosters expand to 28 players, giving the club another option in the outfield at a time when playing time is already a moving target. Clarke has missed most of the season while working back from a foot bone bruise and a high-grade left hamstring strain, and Oakland is hopeful the extra runway of the final month will give him a chance to settle in and help.
His return also puts a little more pressure on how the Athletics sort out center and right field down the stretch, where Henry Bolte has continued to see action. The club wants Clarke healthy enough to contribute, but the bigger question now is how much of a role there will be once he is back in the mix and how the A's decide to distribute those reps as the season winds down. [Read more 🡒]
Athletics Skid Is Putting Mark Kotsay Under Real Pressure
The Athletics have spent enough time dealing with uneven offense and shaky pitching that the pressure is no longer just about the roster, but about how Mark Kotsay is steering it. Recent losses have put a sharper focus on the managers choices, especially the way he has handled his pitching staff and bullpen while the team tries to stop the slide. For a club already searching for answers at the plate, every small decision on the mound has started to carry a little more weight.
Oakland still needs more from several key players if it is going to have a realistic shot in the next set of games, but the urgency around the dugout is growing in a different way. The As have been trying to patch together enough quality innings to stay competitive, and the way Kotsay manages those moments is becoming part of the story, too. With another Mariners matchup coming up, the margin for error feels thinner than ever. [Read more 🡒]