Athletics outfielder Sam Fuld requires surgery on a torn rotator cuff, MLB.com’s Jane Lee reports on Twitter. He’ll undergo the procedure on May 18 and will not be ready to return during the 2016 season.
Fuld, a 34-year-old veteran of eight MLB campaigns, avoided arbitration with Oakland at a $1.93MM salary. He’ll continue to accrue service while he’s shelved, and will qualify for free agency after the season.
While he’s seen fairly consistent reserve action since 2011, Fuld has never been very productive with the bat. He owns a .227/.307/.325 career slash line over 1,535 plate appearances. He does add some value with his legs, with 67 career stolen bases and generally excellent baserunning metics. Most of all, Fuld has long been known as a quality defender, with advanced metrics placing strong ratings on his work in left and center.
Oakland would surely have preferred to have Fuld as a depth option, but doesn’t have a particulary strong need for him at present. Indeed, the team’s addition of Chris Coghlan — like Fuld, a left-handed hitter — seemed to occupy his most obvious place in the organization.
Dang. He was a good fourth OF. And then the Twins used him to nab Tommy Milone basically for free… Claimed Fuld off waivers, then traded him back.
Now that is 3 A’s players out for the season. Fuld, Sogard, and Parker.
Not sure Milone is any prize. Just lost his starting job in Minny.
The amount of injuries the past few years throughout MLB is crazy.
David Murphy would be a good fit for the A’s.
Listened to an interview with Murphy this week and he just seemed very ready for retirement. Wants to see his young kids grow up and is weary of the travel.