MLB news roundup
Good morning, Athletics Nation!
The Oakland A’s are dealing with a sudden barrage of injuries two weeks before the postseason begins, but they got some updates on Tuesday that were as positive as could be hoped for.
It’s already known that third baseman Matt Chapman is out for the season, having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. But now he’s had the operation and it went well, reports Susan Slusser of the S.F. Chronicle. He’ll start his rehab right away, and his recovery will take around four months — encouraging news in terms of being ready for 2021.
Meanwhile, the other two recent injuries might not be season-ending. Super-sub Chad Pinder is on the injured list with a strained hamstring, but it’s only a Grade 1 strain, the lowest on the three-tier scale, reports Slusser. He definitely won’t play again in the regular season, but he might return in time for the playoffs.
As for right fielder Stephen Piscotty, who exited Monday’s game with a knee sprain, he’s considered day-to-day, reports insider Martin Gallegos. The other option would have been putting him on the IL, so presumably this lesser measure is an encouraging sign. Head trainer Nick Paparesta also notes extra caution due to Piscotty’s history of patellar issues, via journalist Ben Ross.
In short, Chapman has a timeline to be ready for next season, Pinder will miss the rest of the mostly meaningless regular season but could be back when games start to matter again, and Piscotty might not be hurt too bad after all. That’s about the best news we could have hoped for all around.
Oh, and (healthy) newcomer Jake Lamb is 3-for-7 with a homer, two doubles, a walk, and three runs scored.
Tuesday: Loss! And I don’t know what this was, but Matt Olson should probably win the Platinum Glove this year now that Chapman is out.
Not sure we've seen this one before #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/jBc83DYFxK
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) September 16, 2020
Cool, thanks for STARTING to think about this the day AFTER the A’s played a doubleheader in it
I’m hearing MLB is considering a league-wide AQI policy. It’s in the early stages so far, but they’re looking into it. Right now, MLB/teams rely on local officials to determine if it’s OK to play.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 15, 2020
Based on yesterday’s DH at Seattle, that approach seems less than ideal.
COOL STORY
Per source, Giants are preparing to head back to San Francisco. Tonight’s game is likely to be canceled and moved to Oracle Park. Air quality in Seattle is too big a problem.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) September 15, 2020
I mean at some point does the league issue an actual apology to the A’s and Mariners? This is tacit admission that they screwed up on Monday.
A’s and Mariners played 2 games yesterday in 200+ AQI (nearly reached 300). https://t.co/ePLraoRNX5
— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) September 15, 2020
As far as I’m concerned, Soria still hasn’t blown a save in 2020
Bob Melvin said Soria had a tough time with the poor air quality on the mound yesterday: "I probably should have been more aware of that." Says nobody is unavailable because of it today, but players definitely felt it when they left the ballpark.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) September 15, 2020
POUNDTOWN
Big Sexy! pic.twitter.com/U7MdUt0iDC
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) September 16, 2020
The full bracket (see link in MLB News section for more details)
The 2020 @MLB Postseason will begin with the AL Wild Card Series on Tuesday, 9/29, while Game One of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas will be played on Tuesday, 10/20. pic.twitter.com/KSzWMSAcBk
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) September 15, 2020
... And the backup plan
While no plan is set in stone, the Phoenix area has emerged as the primary backup option if MLB needs to move any of its postseason games on account of air-quality problems, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 15, 2020
Listen to this player from the surprising Denver Nuggets and you’ll hear every player from every contending A’s team ever. But also this is here for what Julian pointed out at the end of the clip, which is pure gold (that’s a nugget pun and an A’s colors pun simultaneously, nailed it).
at the end he almost said "ya'll can finally shut the _____," before catching himself https://t.co/AC3FIQUYZN
— Julian McWilliams (@byJulianMack) September 16, 2020
