As the 2025 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Kurtz to make MLB debut:
It’s an exciting day for fans of the Athletics. Top first base prospect Nick Kurtz is poised to make his big league debut during tonight’s game against the Rangers, scheduled for 7:05pm local time. Kurtz, 22, was the club’s first round pick, No. 4 overall, in last year’s draft and has done nothing but rake in pro ball. Though he has just 32 minor league games under his belt, he’s hit an incredible .336/.432/.689 in that time. That production follows a remarkable career at Wake Forest, where he batted .333/.510/.725 in his three seasons with the Demon Deacons.
Now, Kurtz will get the opportunity to prove himself in the majors for an A’s team that has stumbled out the gate to a 10-13 record but already has plenty of exciting offensive talent. Kurtz needs to be added to the 40-man roster today, although the club already has a vacancy so only a corresponding active roster move will be necessary to add him to the mix. With Kurtz bursting onto the scene at first base, the A’s will give breakout slugger Tyler Soderstrom and designated hitter Brent Rooker time in the corner outfield to get the trio of sluggers into the lineup.
2. Puk seeking additional opinions:
Diamondbacks southpaw got an MRI on his ailing elbow yesterday, and the news on that front appears to be worrisome. While manager Torey Lovullo didn’t give much of a concrete update to reporters, he did note that Puk is seeking additional opinions (link via Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic). That’s a foreboding update given that Puk is dealing with elbow inflammation. Acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, Puk has given the D-backs a sensational 1.78 ERA in 35 1/3 innings dating back to last July. The former No. 6 overall pick has fanned 40% of his opponents with the Snakes against a 5.1% walk rate. Jalen Beeks is the only lefty in the Arizona pen at the moment with Puk out of commission, though both Joe Mantiply and Kyle Nelson are in the mix as depth options at Triple-A.
3. Seager, Leclerc undergoing testing:
A pair of notable injuries occurred during yesterday’s game between the Rangers and Athletics. Texas shortstop Corey Seager exited early with tightness in his right hamstring, while A’s right-hander Jose Leclerc exited after just seven pitches due to shoulder soreness. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters (including Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News), that Seager is set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his hamstring ailment. The news appears more worrisome for Leclerc. A’s skipper Mark Kotsay told reporters (including MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos) that while the righty is set to undergo additional testing, the injury seems to be “more of a strain than soreness.”
An injured list stint for their player would be a frustrating development for both clubs; Seager has been the Rangers’ best player since signing a ten-year, $325MM contract prior to the 2022 season. If he needs an IL stint, the Rangers would likely bring utilityman Ezequiel Duran back into the fold after recently optioning him to Triple-A.
Leclerc, meanwhile, was signed to a hefty one-year deal ($10MM) to serve as star closer Mason Miller’s primary set-up man. That hasn’t come to fruition early in the year, though perhaps some of Leclerc’s struggles — six runs on 13 hits and five walks in nine innings — can be attributed to this shoulder injury. The right-hander’s average fastball is sitting at a career-low 94.2 mph — down 1.1 mph from 2024 and down 2.6 mph from its peak.
The A’s are playing to expectations at 10-13. They aren’t stumbling out of the gate.
As a White Sox fan, I’d take that 10-13 record everyday of the week…
I think some thought the A’s were going to take a step forward with internal development and such, and be a dark horse challenger for a wildcard. By that standard, their start may seem underwhelming.
However, looking at the schedule, I think they’ve done ok.
They opened with a 4 game split with Seattle. Important not to give ground to a divisional opponent.
They got swept in 3 by the Cubs. That hurts, but the Cubs are a good team, currently a division leader.
The A’s then took 2 of 3 from Colorado, a needed bounce back against a soft team.
They lost 2 of 3 to the Padres, a division leader.
They lost 2 of 3 to the Mets, a division leader.
The had a 3 game sweep of the White Sox. Expected
They lost 2 of 3 to the Brewers. Second in the division with playoff aspirations.
They lost the opener of a 3 gamer with Texas, the leader in their division.
Honestly, the A’s have had a pretty brutal schedule so far, and have gotten wins where they could. Time will tell, but they still feel like a team that could surprise and grab a playoff ticket.
I think bringing up Kurtz will add more pop to its lineup. The A’s will be a force in short order.
Canuckleball: The Astros and Mariners aren’t world beaters so anything is possible in the ALW (not sure how the Rangers are doing, but if they lose Seager, who knows). With the young talent on the A’s, I think there’s a chance they could sneak in.
The curse of the Coliseum
Puk would be a big loss for the Dbacks especially given Martinez is suffering from a “tired arm.” Thankfully, Beeks and Miller have been outstanding, Thompson has returned to form, Jameson is back and Ginkel and Graveman are close to returning.
Beeks didn’t look as sharp last night, but getting that double play was huge.
MRI & elbow
The last 2 things you wanna hear if you’re a pitcher
Here comes Seager’s annual month off.
Seager being out of the lineup for 30 days or more are big shoes to fill. Bringing up Ezekiel to replace him is a joke. Duran is not major league material, and I am quite surprised he’s still on the 40 man roster. Rangers have several hitting prospects in the lower levels that need a chance.
None that play SS though. You could rush Walcott I guess but the reality is Smith will just play SS moving forward. Glad Langford is back to full health, we need the offense.
I’d rather have an all-RHP bullpen than bring Nelson or Mantiply back up.
“You are having zeee dreaded second opinion.” Sadly, that probably means we will see Puk in 2027.
I think A.J. PUK just needs to retire and go out on a high note as it’s evident that he handle a starters workload and now not even a relief pitchers workload.
What does retiring on a “high note” mean for Puk? He’s 30 in the midst of his MLB career.
While Beeks is holding his own, DBacks need to add a consistent lefty. and it shouldn’t be Joe Multiply.
Unfortunate. Elite talent undone by a single pitch or sprint.
“Meanwhile” has to start the sentence, not come in the middle between commas.