Zack Gelof is back at second base for the A's, which means manager Mark Kotsay must find a place for Abraham Toro in the lineup.
The Athletics reinstated second baseman Zack Gelof from the injured list Tuesday after being out since April 24 with a strained oblique and promoted left-handed pitcher Brady Basso from Double-A Midland as they cope with a decimated starting pitching staff.
Easton Lucas was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas and the A’s also optioned outfielder Lawrence Butler, who has been unable to get on track offensively in a part-time role.
No move was made as yet regarding starting pitcher Alex Wood, who returned to the Bay Area to have his sore shoulder examined.
The Athletics (19-24), losers of seven of their last nine games, visit the Houston Astros (16-25) in Game 2 of a four-game series after losing the opener Monday night 9-2.
Gelof, who is in the lineup and batting sixth, was hitting .196 with three homers and seven RBIs in 24 games before being put on the I.L. with a strained left oblique. Although off to a slow start, the injury occurred not long after hit a two-run ninth inning home run in a 2-0 win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
On a rehab assignment with Las Vegas Saturday, Gelof was 1-for-8 with a homer run, two RBIs and a walk in two starts in games at Round Rock.
Considered one of the A’s cornerstone prospects, Gelof was a second-round draft pick out of Virginia in 2021 who hit .267 with 14 home runs and 32 RBIs in 69 games as a rookie last season.
With Gelof back, A’s manager Mark Kotsay moved Abraham Toro to third base in Tuesday’s lineup. Toro went 0-for-5 Monday but has been one of the A’s most consistent hitters of late. Toro, who can play third base, first base and designated hitter, has hit in 13 of his last 15 games and his hitting .386 (22-for-57) over that span.
Basso, 26, is 1-2 with a 5.53 earned run average in seven minor league starts and was and in his last game with Las Vegas gave up nine runs on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings, promoting a return to Midland. With just four walks in 27 2/3 innings, Basso was a1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in his first six starts for Midland.
A 16th-round draft pick in 2019, Basso’s experience has been limited due to the pandemic as well as Tommy John surgery in July of 2021.
Lucas, recalled when starter Paul Blackburn went on the I.L., gave up three hits and three earned runs Monday as Houston pulled away with six runs in the seventh and eight innings to beat the A’s.
Butler, 23, was on the A’s Opening Day roster. He started 29 games in right field and played in 41 games, but was hitting .170 with two home runs and seven RBIs.
Butler was on the A’s Opening Day roster but was hitting just .170 with two home runs, seven RBI and a .537 OPS in 41 games. He started 29 games in right field and had 40 appearances overall in right plus two in center field.
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