WEST SACRAMENTO – What seemed like good fortune for the Athletics when they left Spring Training in Arizona free of any major injuries is starting to feel more like an ominous precursor to what they’re now dealing with on the health front.
The difficulty of this recent six-game road trip went beyond the 2-4 record posted by the A’s. They also lost three key players to the injured list during that stretch, starting with Zack Gelof (right hand contusion) earlier in the week and continuing with Jacob Wilson (right thumb inflammation) and Tyler Soderstrom (left hip impingement), both of whom were placed on the 10-day IL prior to Monday’s 9-4 loss to the Dodgers at Sutter Health Park.
The A’s pride themselves in having a deep lineup that does not rely on one or two big bats to get them going. But there’s only so many hits an offense can take. In addition to Gelof, Wilson and Soderstrom, there’s also Brent Rooker, who has been sidelined on the 10-day IL since June 9 with a left knee bone bruise.
“We had a great Spring Training, health-wise,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “We got out of there crystal clean. I’m not sure if that was a bad omen or what has led to the injuries, but it definitely has hit us at an inopportune time. We have to keep grinding. Guys are coming here to fill roles that maybe weren’t anticipated to be here yet.”
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