OAKLAND, California – Oakland Athletics left-hander AJ Puk was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a shoulder injury Monday and traveled to Los Angeles to be examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Puk, a top prospect who was expected to be in the once-healthy A rotation, was upset about the problem months ago during spring training.
He sensed it in a recent game within the squad and had his departure interrupted. Right-hander Daniel Mengden will take the place at the end of the A’s rotation, manager Bob Melvin said before an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants.
“The fact that we have to put it on the DL right away, obviously there is a level of concern,” said Melvin. “We want to make sure we do this right before we launch it again.”
Meanwhile, the Giants will miss two key insiders for opening day Thursday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. First baseman Brandon Belt is experiencing pain in his right heel, and third baseman Evan Longoria has moderate oblique strain on the right side.
“I don’t think it’s realistic at this point to be so close that Brandon or Evan are ready for opening day,” manager Gabe Kapler said Monday. “I think it’s going to be a few days in the season. We’re in a rush to get those guys ready as quickly as possible, but without the full-intensity reps Brandon and Evan need, they’re just not going to be quite ready for the day’s assignment. inaugural against the Dodgers. Without ruling any point in the series. “
San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence was held out of the lineup Monday as a precaution. The swelling in his right foot has bothered him.
“Everything is fine with Hunter,” said Kapler. “We are simply monitoring his workload. We are very confident where Hunter is. He got some live replays today at the ballpark earlier and a good practice session. Part of this is simply presenting the progression to Opening Day at this period … We’re really thinking about making the guys for Opening Day as healthy as possible. “
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