Injuries & Moves: Wood (rotator cuff tendinitis) to IL

Injuries & Moves: Wood (rotator cuff tendinitis) to IL

May 15th, 2024

LATEST NEWS

May 15: RHP selected and LHP recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas; LHP placed on 15-day injured list; LHP optioned
After manager Mark Kotsay revealed that Wood has been pitching through a shoulder issue that worsened after his start on Sunday in Seattle, the left-hander was sent back to Oakland where MRI results revealed rotator cuff tendinitis. He will be shut down from throwing for at least the next 10-14 days with no timetable for a return at this time. Wood – Oakland’s Opening Day starter – was set to make his next start in Friday’s series opener against the Royals in Kansas City. The A’s are still deciding who will fill his spot in the rotation.

Brooks was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to make his first Major League start since 2019 on Wednesday against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. The 34-year-old righty, who previously pitched for the A’s in two separate stints in 2015 and 2018-19, has posted a 4.57 ERA in eight starts for the Aviators this season and has yet to allow a home run in 43 1/3 innings pitched. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Brooks, infielder Darell Hernaiz, Oakland's No. 4 prospect, was transferred to the 60-day IL.

Basso, rated Oakland’s No. 21 prospect by MLB Pipeline, heads back down to Triple-A Las Vegas after he was recalled on Tuesday but did not pitch. Harris, who is back for his second stint with the A’s this season, is expected to provide length out of the bullpen.

May 14: 2B reinstated from 10-day injured list; OF and LHP optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas; LHP recalled from Double-A Midland
Following two rehab games with Triple-A Las Vegas over the weekend, Gelof rejoined the A’s after missing 20 games with a left oblique strain. Before the injury, he started each of Oakland’s first 24 games at second base. Gelof was back in the A’s starting lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Astros -- batting sixth and playing second base – and is expected to resume his everyday role with the club.

The decision to option Butler was a difficult one for manager Mark Kotsay. The 23-year-old outfielder is still viewed as a key piece of the club’s future, but after hitting .170 with two home runs and a .537 OPS in 41 games, the A’s decided it would be best to let him try and build confidence with some success at the Minor League level for a while.

“If you look at his track record and how quickly he got here from Double-A last year,” Kotsay said. “I think had 94 at-bats in Triple-A last year. He made the team [this year] out of camp. He hasn’t got off to a great start, but he’s done things that we like and can lead to success here. He controls the strike zone well and his walk rate has increased. … We’re going to watch everything he does at Triple-A. He is a part of this group. I think building confidence down there and having success will help.”

Basso, rated Oakland’s No. 21 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has spent most of this season at Double-A Midland, where he posted a 2.84 ERA in six starts. He is expected to provide length out of the A’s bullpen, and the 26-year-old lefty’s first appearance would mark his Major League debut.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

LHP (rotator cuff tendinitis)
Expected return: June
After seeing team doctors in Oakland on May 14, Wood was diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis and is expected to be shut down from throwing for at least 10-14 days from that date. His 15-day IL placement is retroactive to May 13, though the A’s do not have a timetable for his return at this time. (Last updated: May 15)

OF (right knee)
Expected return: Late May
Andujar has joined Triple-A Las Vegas and is expected to begin a rehab assignment with the Aviators on May 16. Having undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on March 27, he is expected to join the A’s once the club determines he is fully built up. (Last updated: May 14)

RHP (right foot stress reaction)
Expected return: June
Blackburn’s placement on the injured list is retroactive to May 11. On May 13, manager Mark Kotsay revealed that the right-hander would be in a walking boot for at least two weeks, which will keep him out longer than the 15-day minimum. (Last updated: May 13)

LHP (stress reaction in left rib)
Expected return: Mid-May
Alexander is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance with Triple-A Las Vegas on May 10. If all goes well, there is a chance the left-hander could be activated off the IL at some point during the week of May 13. (Last updated: May 8)

RHP (lower back strain)
Expected return: Late May
Boyle landed on the 15-day IL on May 6 after he was diagnosed with a lower back strain. There is no timetable for a return to action at this time. (Last updated: May 6)

60-DAY IL

SS (left ankle sprain)
Expected return: TBD
After Hernaiz exited Oakland’s loss to Texas on May 7 after landing awkwardly on the first-base bag while trying to beat out an infield hit, an MRI exam revealed a “severe” sprain of his left ankle. Currently in a walking boot, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 15, which will keep him sidelined until at least July 7. (Last updated: May 15)

LHP (left elbow sprain)
Expected return: Out for season
After visiting elbow specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on May 13, following a setback in his rehab process, Waldichuk is scheduled to undergo surgery on his elbow on May 15, which will likely sideline him for the remainder of the season. (Last updated: May 13)

INF (right calf strain)
Expected return: June
Díaz is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on May 10. Given that he missed most of Spring Training due to injury, the A’s plan to take a slow approach to his rehab process and do not have a timetable for his return at this time. (Last updated: May 8)

LHP (left knee irritation)
Expected return: TBD
Newcomb was scheduled to throw a sim game on May 10 at the club's Minor League complex in Arizona. There is no timeline for a return. (Last updated: May 8)

RHP (Grade 2 MCL sprain)
Expected return: June
Medina faced hitters in a 20-pitch live bullpen at the Coliseum on May 6 and came away feeling healthy. He will next head to the club’s Minor League complex in Arizona to throw in a sim game on May 10 and could begin a rehab assignment soon after that. (Last updated: May 6)

RHP (right hip inflammation)
Expected return: June
Tarnok reported to the A’s Minor League complex in Arizona on April 29. He was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on April 30 and a live batting practice session on May 2. Tarnok was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 3, and there is no timetable for him to begin a rehab assignment. (Last updated: May 4)

RHP (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
After feeling discomfort following his Cactus League outing on March 16 against the Brewers, MRI results revealed a full tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in Gott’s right elbow. He is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, which will cause him to miss the entirety of the 2024 season. (Last updated: March 24)

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