Hoping to avoid 'yips,' Profar gets break

BOSTON -- Jurickson Profar's inaccurate throwing has become an issue for the A's, and the club is looking for ways to help combat it.

After a poor throw to second base on a would-be double-play ball led to six runs in the third inning of Monday's loss to the Red Sox, Profar was kept out of the starting lineup Tuesday. With the A's set for an off-day on Thursday, manager Bob Melvin said the second baseman will likely get another day off Wednesday, giving him a three-day mental break before beginning a three-game series in Pittsburgh on Friday.

Although he won't see any game action for a few days, Profar did take part in defensive work on the field prior to Tuesday's game. Third-base coach Matt Williams was hitting grounders to Profar at second, and joining him on the field was shortstop Marcus Semien.

Profar said he went to Semien after Tuesday's game to seek help and guidance, and he's not a bad guy to go to. After years of being labeled a defensive liability early in his Major League career, Semien's defensive woes began to turn around after he began working closely with former third-base coach Ron Washington. Semien was a finalist for the AL Gold Glove at shortstop last year.

Given the struggles Semien went through, he can relate to Profar.

"It's a great resource. Marcus has been through some things defensively as well," Melvin said. "He did some early work today, and Marcus was there with him. He'll probably do that tomorrow with another off-day. If there's ever a guy that can be really helpful along these lines, it's Marcus Semien. He wants to help as much as he can."

Profar's seven errors led all Major League second basemen. Of those seven, six have come on bad throws that at first glance appeared routine.

Over the years, there have been second basemen who have dealt with the yips, most notably Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch. This unexplainable loss of ability to make routine throws is usually a subject players avoid talking about, and there is no real cure; it's more of a mental hurdle that sometimes requires a trip to a psychologist.

Melvin does not believe Profar has reached that point. The A's manager said it's more about adjusting to playing second base every day after playing more of a utility role with Texas last year.

"Different position, different angles. We're working," Melvin said. "At some point, he'll get comfortable there."

Olson goes on rehab
Matt Olson (right hand surgery) flew to Reno on Tuesday to join Triple-A Las Vegas. He'll be in the starting lineup Wednesday at first base, and the A's will monitor how he feels over four or five games before making a decision on when to call him up to the Major Leagues.

"I just want him to feel comfortable and see the ball well," Melvin said. "We have to resist the urge of trying to get him back here as quickly as we can, because he's been out for a while. With hamate injuries, sometimes it takes a little while for the strength to come back. We'll see where we're at at the end of this road trip."

Trivino available Wednesday
Right-hander Lou Trivino (thumb) threw live batting practice before Tuesday's game with no issues. Melvin said Trivino will be available for Wednesday's game.

Trivino has been kept out of action since April 17. The way the injury occurred was pretty bizarre, with the nail bending back as he was hit on the thumb with a ball while playing catch, which developed a cut.

"How many people get hit in the hand and nothing really happens? The fact that it bent my nail back, it's like, 'Come on, man,'" Trivino said. "It is what it is. Hopefully I can come back and do what I was doing."

What he was doing before the injury was quite impressive. Trivino posted a 1.42 ERA over 12 appearances with a 16-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12 2/3 innings.

The live batting practice came at the request of Trivino, who said something felt off after throwing a bullpen session on Monday. During the live BP, Trivino said he felt more like himself with full control of all his pitches.

"Today I barely felt the thumb and my delivery felt more connected," Trivino said. "I'm like an engine. If one piston is off, the thing will blow up. Everything needs to be in sync."