The A’s made a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday afternoon before their series with the Reds gets underway. The club placed first baseman Nick Kurtz on the injured list, as well as left-handed starter Jeffrey Springs. Taking their places on the active roster will be infielder Max Muncy and right-hander J.T. Ginn, who is coming off an IL stint due to a blister on his pitching hand:
The loss of Kurtz hurts but isn’t surprising. He was
set to undergo tests today and it now seems we have the official diagnosis:
The club can likely expect to be without Kurtz for the foreseeable future, and if this doesn’t get better or worse it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team shut him down for the rest of a lost season. No official word on any timeline for his return so don’t hold your breath.
The loss of Springs will further thin out an already thin pitching staff, though Springs himself hasn’t had the best season to date. There was some possibility that the left-hander could have found himself on the move during yesterday’s trade deadline but he stayed put, likely because interested teams found out about this hip issue. He’ll take some time to recover and get his hip right but like Kurtz it’s entirely possible his season is over as well. The team does need to give some starts to the younger arms and Springs isn’t expected to return next year.
Taking Springs’ spot in the rotation is right-hander J.T. Ginn. He’s had an overall very successful year in what is his first extended action as a big league starter but he’s now surpassed his career-high in innings pitched so we’re in uncharted territory from here on out. Ginn, who is 27 and already has a Tommy John surgery under his belt, is expected to be a key piece in next year’s rotation so hopefully the club handles him with care over the final two months. He’s on the mound tonight so we won’t have to wait long to see him back in action.
As for Muncy, he returns to the big league squad for his third stint this year. The club’s Opening Day third baseman and former first-round draft pick has yet to find any sort of rhythm in the majors up to this point despite multiple chances. He’s getting another one now with Kurtz on the IL and considering he’s still only 23 he could earn more playing time, though with Tommy White in the fold Muncy may need to expand his defensive versatility. He has been getting some outfield work in Triple-A so don’t be shocked to see him on the grass at some point.
The club will also have their newest reliever in the bullpen starting tonight as right-hander Seth Johnson is on the active roster, per Martin Gallegos:
He’s struggled in the big leagues up to this point but he’s had big numbers in Triple-A. It cost us Colby Thomas to acquire his services so hopefully he starts his A’s career with a strong first appearance this evening in Cincy.
Making room on the 40-man roster, the club designated lefty Ben Bowden for assignment and saw another lefty reliever in Connor Thomas claimed off waivers. Bowden, who was on the team last year as well, has spent the year in Triple-A to mixed results at best. He only made one appearance for the A’s a couple days ago and now finds himself on the waiver wire, with every team getting a chance to snag him. That seems unlikely considering his below-average line with the Aviators but lefty relief help is always in high demand this time of year. Thomas meanwhile didn’t even make an appearance for the A’s and now finds himself in yet another new organization.
