March 17: The A’s announced today that Smolinski underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair his labrum in addition to a bursectomy procedure. Smolinski will be in a sling for the next four weeks and, presumably, will face a fairly substantial rehab program following that first phase of his recovery.
March 14: Athletics outfielder Jake Smolinski is headed for shoulder surgery, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle is among those to report. It’s not yet known what procedure will be performed, as that’ll have to wait until surgeons take a peek inside.
It’s a tough break for the 28-year-old, who seemed primed to receive a solid opportunity to establish himself in the majors this year. Smolinski has ramped up his MLB action in each of the last three seasons, culminating with 319 plate appearances in 2016.
That’s not to say that Smolinski had fully locked down a role. After all, he slashed just .238/.299/.345 in the majors last year and faced some spring competition. But the organization clearly likes his low-strikeout approach and quality numbers against southpaws, which seemingly made him a favorite to take a platoon assignment with a chance to earn more playing time over the course of the year.
[RELATED: Updated Athletics Depth Chart]
In Smolinski’s stead, it seems likely that the organization will go with another internal option, as Joe Stiglich of CSN California notes on Twitter. Veteran Alejandro De Aza could be the beneficiary of the injury, though he’ll have to hold off players such as fellow non-roster invitees Chris Parmelee, Andrew Lambo, and Jaff Decker.
Also, LHP/Outfielder Jordan Schafer needs elbow surgery. Possibly Tommy John but could be “primary repair”
Angel Pegan
might be interested in chris dickerson or kim from orioles?
They need a guy who can spell Rajai in CF for decent amounts of time. Pagan is so that man but for whatever reason they aren’t interested in him, which sucks.
But yeah, no corner OF’s, they need athletes. I’d try and get Michael Taylor of the Nats for very little, as he can defend at least, and if they are going to be brutal in the corner OF spots, it would be nice to have a plus glove CF, even if he can’t hit well.
Welp there goes his .224 4 homer season
He had -0.3 fWAR last year, the A’s are literally better off without him.
After further thought .224 was a bit generous. You are right.
Thoughts and prayers
Sign Angel Pagan NOW. He makes the team way more interesting and would be the best OF defender.
I was going to say Pagan seems like a perfect fit, not De Aza is enough to cut it.
Not sure*
The A’s are going to be so bad.
lol, because a bad player got hurt? His WAR was -0.3 last year, he’s no help.
With a $5 million price tag Pagan is not the answer. Literally anyone can play OF for a team that’s going to win 70 games. They should be looking to trade for some actual talent. Dodgers and Padres come to mind.
I agree, there’s plenty of trade possibilities, my fave one I’ve seen floated around is Raimel Tapia for Liam Hendriks. But if the A’s are trying to hold onto prospect assets, Pagan, who had a 2.1 fWAR last year, is literally a 2.4 win improvement over Smolinski and the A’s owners have repeatedly said they aren’t bound by financial restrictions anymore (remember the A’s were runner up for Encarnacion at 2/50)..
That means that they have more money they want to spend wisely, not more money to continue to spend on a dumpster fire.
They need talent. Lots of it.
90 days of an effective looking Sonny Gray and he’s gone. They have a decent farm but they need to populate it with more blue chip pieces.
Which shoulder? Throwing arm or fielding arm? Neither this story nor Susan Slusser’s specify. Would be good to know, as it may impact time on the DL and the type of recovery regimen.