Mark Canha makes first-ever start in center for A’s
With Sam Fuld opening the season on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, Mark Canha found himself in center field Wednesday night.
For Canha’s first career appearance at the position, the conditions weren’t exactly ideal:
In the first inning, though, with a man at third and two outs, he raced into the gap in left for a drive by Steve Clevenger.
Canha usually plays first base or left field, but, as manager Bob Melvin pointed out, he also was in right on three occasions and even played third once last year as a rookie.
“He’s a sneaky good runner, stole some bases for us last year, does a nice job wherever we put him,” Melvin said.
Fuld, who has a moderate shoulder sprain, received a cortisone shot and a platelet-rich-plasma injection in Los Angeles on Tuesday and told Melvin that he already is feeling better.
Sean Doolittle, who had missed a few days with mild triceps tightness, pitched an inning in a minor-league game and gave up a hit and a run, according to Melvin.
Jesse Hahn had a poor night, pitching 12/3 innings and allowing eight hits, two walks and seven runs, all earned, plus an error on a pickoff attempt.
Chris Coghlan made his first start of the spring at third base and had three hits, including a two-run triple. ...
Jake Smolinski hit a three-run homer and drew a bases-loaded walk. ...
Eric Surkamp, who is expected to be in Triple-A Nashville’s rotation, gave up a grand slam to Luis Sardinas in the fifth.