This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The Athletics placed Kurtz on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a strained right thumb.
Kurtz visited a hand specialist Monday after sitting out the final two games of the Athletics' weekend series versus the Tigers due to the thumb injury, and he'll be out for at least another week after being diagnosed with an acute on chronic volar plate tear of the MCP joint, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The 23-year-old is receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection Tuesday and is without an official timeline to return.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Visiting hand specialist
Rotowire
Kurtz, who is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers, is scheduled to visit a hand specialist Monday in Los Angeles, after which the Athletics are expected to decide whether he'll need to go on the injured list, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
After being hit by a pitch Wednesday, the 23-year-old was back in the lineup for the next two games but now finds himself on the bench Sunday for a second straight contest. Kurtz underwent an MRI and X-rays before initially rejoining the starting nine Thursday, with manager Mark Kotsay saying that the X-ray results were "kind of unclear." The fact Kurtz was cleared to play indicated it was a minor injury, but he apparently has some lingering issues that warrant further evaluation.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Sitting again Sunday
Rotowire
Kurtz (forearm) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
It's the second consecutive absence for Kurtz, whose forearm is presumably still bothering him after being hit by a pitch Wednesday. The 23-year-old underwent X-rays and an MRI before returning to the lineup Thursday and Friday, but he's apparently still not 100 percent. Monday's team off day will provide him three straight days of rest heading into Tuesday's series opener in Cincinnati.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Not starting Saturday
Rotowire
Kurtz isn't in the Athletics' starting lineup Saturday versus Detroit.
Kurtz was hit in the forearm by a pitch Wednesday and underwent an MRI, but he was back in the lineup both Thursday and Friday. At this point, it's unclear if his exit from the starting nine Saturday is related to that issue or if he's simply getting a day off. It's worth noting that the star first baseman slumped for most of July, slashing a meager .028/.125/.111 with just one home run and 20 strikeouts over his final 12 games of the month. Jonah Heim is starting at first base in Kurtz's stead Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: In Thursday's lineup
Rotowire
Kurtz (forearm) will start at first base and bat leadoff Thursday against the Red Sox.
Kurtz made an early exit from Wednesday's contest after taking a pitch off his forearm, but he's been cleared to return to the starting nine after MRI results came back clean Thursday. The 23-year-old slugger owns an .890 OPS through 426 plate appearances on the season, but he's gone just 1-for-12 with a three-run homer and seven strikeouts since returning from the injured list Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Exits after HBP
Rotowire
Kurtz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit on the forearm by a pitch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kurtz initially remained in the game after taking a 95-mph sinker off his left arm in the first inning, but he was replaced in the field at the start of the second frame. The A's have officially diagnosed him with a contusion, per Gallegos, which suggests that Kurtz managed to escape the incident without suffering a fracture. Jeff McNeil entered the game as Kurtz's replacement at first base and would be the favorite to start if the latter needs to miss time.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Will undergo MRI on Thursday
Rotowire
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Kurtz will undergo an MRI on Thursday after X-rays on his left forearm were "kind of unclear," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kurtz was forced to depart Wednesday's contest versus the Red Sox after being struck on the forearm by a Patrick Sandoval pitch. The Athletics should offer an update on the star first baseman's status later Thursday. Kurtz just returned from the injured list less than a week ago after missing time with a thumb injury.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Sitting Monday
Rotowire
Kurtz is not in the Athletics' starting lineup against the Red Sox on Monday.
Kurtz has gone 1-for-7 with a three-run home run and five strikeouts in his two games since being activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday. He'll take a seat for Monday's series opener while Jeff McNeil starts at first base and Tyler Soderstrom serves as the designated hitter.
Kurtz went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Sunday's 11-8 loss to the Twins.
Kurtz returned from a thumb injury Saturday, but he stayed cold at the plate. When he went deep Sunday, he snapped an 0-for-25 stretch at the plate that dated back to July 3. The first baseman should be able to turn things around, though his 32.1 percent strikeout rate is an obvious flaw, especially since he's struck out 17 times over nine contests in July. Kurtz is batting .264 with a .901 OPS, 21 homers, 69 RBI, 62 runs scored, 15 doubles, one triple and seven stolen bases over 94 games this season.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Activated from IL
Rotowire
The Athletics reinstated Kurtz (thumb) from the injured list Saturday.
Kurtz landed on the injured list July 11 due to a right thumb capsule sprain, but he's now been cleared to return to action without having to play in any rehab games. The 23-year-old slugger figures to immediately reclaim his role as the Athletics' everyday first baseman, and he'll replace Max Muncy on the active roster.
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Ramping up baseball activities
Rotowire
Kurtz (thumb), who was cleared to begin a hitting progression and fielded grounders Monday, could return from the injured list as early as this weekend against the Twins, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
This is a clear step in the right direction for Kurtz, who hadn't been able to ramp up his activity much until Monday due to a right thumb capsule sprain. The club will keep a close eye on the 23-year-old as the week progresses, and while manager Mark Kotsay did note there's a chance Kurtz could return for the A's weekend series, he admits this may be a bit of an optimistic timeline.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Not ready for baseball activities
Rotowire
The Athletics announced Saturday that Kurtz remains limited to participating in range-of-motion and strengthening exercises during his rehab for a right thumb capsule sprain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kurtz was placed on the 10-day IL on July 11 due to the injury and will be without a clear timeline for a return until he's able to resume taking part in baseball activities. In the meantime, Tommy White, Jonah Heim and Jeff McNeil could all be candidates to pick up reps at first base in Kurtz's absence.
0:52
0:59
0:55
0:47
1:06
0:59
0:33
1:05
0:45
1:14
0:45
2:35
6:08
1:19
1:10
0:41
0:49
