A's split set with Yankees as Gelof goes on the IL

NEW YORK -- Embarking on his first full season as a big leaguer, Zack Gelof established a goal of playing at least 150 games to prove his durability.

His chances of reaching that target took a hit on Thursday. After getting scratched from the A’s starting lineup on Wednesday, Gelof -- who started each of Oakland’s first 24 games this season -- was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain, retroactive to April 24. The second baseman felt discomfort during the club’s three-game series over the weekend in Cleveland that gradually worsened and eventually led to him getting an MRI in New York, which revealed the strain.

“I was disappointed at first,” Gelof told MLB.com following Oakland’s 3-1 victory over the Yankees on Thursday, earning a series split at Yankee Stadium. “At the same time, I feel like I dodged a bullet. From what the doctor said, if I played [Wednesday], the injury could have gotten a lot worse. Hopefully, it’ll be a short stint on the IL and I’ll be back to playing every day.”

Darell Hernaiz -- Oakland’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace Gelof on the active roster. Flying cross-country overnight from Sacramento and landing in New York around 6:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Hernaiz was thrust into the starting lineup and contributed to the win by reaching base three times with two singles and a walk, while picking up his first Major League stolen base and scoring on Tyler Nevin's go-ahead two-run homer in the third.

“The walk was big,” said manager Mark Kotsay, who noted that Hernaiz had only drawn two walks in 17 games with Oakland before being optioned on April 18. “The hits are great, but to see him control the strike zone better than he did his first time up here was a great sign. … He’s got an opportunity to step in and help this club.”

The A’s have taken their lumps on the injury front. In Spring Training, expected starting rotation member Luis Medina and middle-of-the-order hitter Miguel Andujar both went down with knee injuries that they are still rehabbing from. Last week, third baseman J.D. Davis landed on the IL with a right groin strain.

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Perhaps no greater blow could have been dealt than losing Gelof. He entered 2024 with sky-high expectations coming off a sensational rookie campaign in which he posted an .840 OPS with 14 home runs, 20 doubles and 14 stolen bases in 69 games.

More important, though, is Gelof’s presence inside the clubhouse. The 24-year-old has quickly emerged as a leader for this young rebuilding A’s squad that aims to take a sizable step forward this year following 100-plus losses in each of the previous two seasons.

Prior to Wednesday, which saw Abraham Toro replace Gelof at second to begin the game, the A’s had not played a game without their budding star manning the position since July 19, 2023.

“We all know what he means to the club,” said Kotsay. “We’re hopeful that it’s a short period of time."

Kotsay described the Grade 1 strain as being on the “lower level” in terms of severity, so the hope is Gelof could return once eligible on May 4 or soon after.

“I think if it's September, he’d probably play through it,” Kotsay said. “But being that it’s April, I’m glad we erred on the side of caution."

While Gelof was off to a slow start, batting .196 with a .597 OPS through 24 games, both he and the A’s felt he was turning a corner over the past week.

One encouraging sign came in Monday’s 2-0 win over the Yankees, highlighted by Gelof’s clutch two-run blast in the ninth inning. The lack of his presence in the batting order certainly will not help an offense whose 74 runs scored and .617 team OPS are second and third-lowest in the Majors.

The offense pieced together just enough support on the strength of homers by Nevin and Nick Allen in a win paced by a strong overall pitching effort.

It began with Alex Wood, who held the Yankees to one run in 5 2/3 innings, and finished with 3 1/3 scoreless innings from the bullpen, capped by Mason Miller notching the first four-out save of his career.

“Going against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium and coming out with a split is big,” said Wood. “This is a tough road trip for us. Hopefully, we’ll carry some momentum into Baltimore this weekend and have a good series there.”