The Athletics will place outfielder Stephen Piscotty on the 10-day injured list due to a high ankle sprain, manager Bob Melvin told reporters (including John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle). Piscotty was seen in the clubhouse prior to Sunday’s game wearing a walking boot on his right foot, MLB.com’s Chris Haft writes.
Piscotty originally suffered the injury back on August 17, after making a slide into second base. He missed one game but then returned to the lineup, as it seemed like the A’s hoped a light schedule (off-days on both Monday and Friday) this week would help Piscotty heal up without an IL stint. However, he’ll now head back to the injured list for the second time this season.
The outfielder has hit .252/.312/.416 with 13 home runs over 389 plate appearances this season. Despite a 41% hard-hit ball rate that ranks as the best of his career, Piscotty hasn’t been able to translate that better contact into more production at the plate, with only a .323 xwOBA (.313 wOBA), 93 wRC+ and 95 OPS+ this season, a marked dropoff from an impressive 124 OPS+/125 wRC+ performance in 2018.
Piscotty also missed all of July recovering from a right knee sprain, which allowed Mark Canha to take the bulk of playing time in Piscotty’s customary right field spot. Canha has taken that ball and run with it, posting a .275/.390/.546 slash line and 22 homers (including the two dingers he hit today in Oakland’s 5-4 loss to the Giants).
It isn’t known how long Piscotty will be out of action, though the A’s are expecting to get another everyday outfielder back within the week as Ramon Laureano is continuing his recovery from a shin fracture. Laureano’s return would move Canha from center field to right field until Piscotty is back, with Robbie Grossman and Chad Pinder holding the fort in left field. Once September 1 hits, of course, the A’s will also have the benefit of some extra depth thanks to the expanded rosters.
No bueno. A’s have been killer with injuries this year.
Incoming “Yankees have had it way worse” comments
Got to admit the Yanks had a tough season with injuries. Its the angel fans that whine about their injuries when they sign injured players and are surprised when they get injured.
Hopefully Laureano rehab goes well this week but figured they might try to lessen his load by DH’ng him and keeping Canha in center. Looks like he may be rushed into CF now and shift Canha to right.
Probably bring up Martini from AAA to take the 25 man roster spot?
Martini was pinch hit for halfway through today’s game in Tacoma so he’ll probably be meeting the team in Kansas City.
Lmao DFA 15 hours later
15 hours later… DFA hahahaha
Martini would be better than Piscotty since he needs coffee for him to be good whereas a Martini doesn’t need anything. (Martini v Biscotti joke if you don’t get it)
But this particular Martini needs Red Bull.
Bring Barreto back up give him some more playing time