The Oakland A’s spring training team has been afflicted with a handful of injuries. From the positions players to the bullpen, there seem to be injuries affecting all parts of the diamond. This is not the best way to start off spring training and it is a cause for concern with the regular season beginning in less than a month.
Coco Crisp
First there is the outfield. Coco Crisp has been dealing with elbow soreness while Josh Reddick suffered a strained oblique muscle during warmups. An MRI of Crisp’s elbow showed that his injury is not serious since there was no swelling or inflammation and he is expected to be in the lineup for a spring training game this upcoming week. Reddick’s injury will keep him out a little longer although he played catch this weekend and felt no pain. If he is able to progress quickly, he could possibly be available to start on Opening Day.
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Then there is the bullpen. Closer Sean Doolittle is expected to miss the first month of the season with a left shoulder strain while starters Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin will not be ready to rejoin the rotation until June or July due to the Tommy John surgery they both underwent last year. Newcomer Sean Nolin was a contender for one of the open starting rotation spots but felt some tugging when he pitched a few weeks ago and has since been told to rest his arm. He had sports hernia surgery this offseason and it is possible that he aggravated this previous injury.
The infield has not had that many injuries except for first basemen Ike Davis and Nate Freiman. Davis has recently been experiencing some back spasms. Although this is not a serious injury, it could be something that recurs during the regular season. On the other hand, Freiman’s injury could determine whether or not he makes the 25-man active roster. Freiman is currently out with a lower back strain that he incurred during the offseason while lifting weights. If he does not improve soon and demonstrate his value to the Oakland A’s, he could be cut – especially since Rule 5 acquisition and backup first baseman Mark Canha is finding success this spring.
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Lastly, Stephan Vogt was recovering from foot surgery during the early part of the this spring but was able to start behind the plate in a game this weekend. He will most likely platoon with catcher Josh Phegley until he has completely recovered from his offseason surgery.
Even though many of these injuries seem minor, spring training is not the time when a player wants to be sitting on the bench. Spring is the time for players to ready themselves for the upcoming season. It would not be good for any of these players to start the the season weak, banged up or cold. Hopefully these injuries will not linger into the regular season.
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This article Oakland A’s roster peppered with injuries this spring appeared first on isportsweb by Sam Riley