Khrush sidelined by left hand contusion
ANAHEIM -- A favorable matchup awaited Khris Davis for Saturday night’s game, but as he's still not feeling at full strength while gripping a bat, the A’s decided to take more of a long-term approach.
Davis remained sidelined for a second consecutive game with a left hand contusion that he sustained after getting hit by a fastball from reliever Luis Garcia in the seventh inning of Thursday’s loss to the Angels. The day off keeps Davis away from Angels starter Tyler Skaggs, who he’s been known to crush over the years to the tune of a .429 batting average (9-for-21), with four home runs, two doubles and eight RBIs.
“He wanted to play today and if you look at his numbers off Skaggs, it would suggest that he would want to try to get in there,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “He came in and grabbed a bat, and just wasn’t as comfortable as we would like. It literally is a day-to-day proposition.”
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The A’s will wait to see how Davis feels upon his arrival to the clubhouse on Sunday for the four-game series finale at Angel Stadium. With an off-day on Monday, it appears more likely that the A’s could hold off on Davis’ return until Tuesday’s game against the Twins back at the Coliseum.
Mark Canha is filling Davis’ designated-hitter role for Saturday’s game, and though he doesn’t quite hold the same ownage over Skaggs, he enters the night on a roll, coming off a game in which he homered and finished 2-for-4. Of Canha’s 11 home runs this season, six have come when used as the DH.
“He had a sustained period when KD was on the IL,” Melvin said. “It’s not an easy thing to do, especially for a guy who is used to being out on the field so much. Whether it’s first, outfield or DH, he’s found a way to be productive and do it in a non-everyday role. He’s having a really good year, getting on base and hitting home runs.”
Treinen throws a bullpen
Blake Treinen (right shoulder strain) came away feeling healthy from a 31-pitch bullpen session at Angel Stadium before Saturday’s game. He’ll get Sunday off from throwing, and is expected to pitch a rehab outing with one of the club’s Minor League affiliates on Monday. If all goes well, the A's closer is expected to come off the IL when eligible on Wednesday.