Athletics Roster Moves
Athletics Place Key Players on Injured List, Recall Prospect for Major League Debut
The Athletics dealt a significant blow to their already-battered lineup on June 29, placing shortstop Jacob Wilson and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom on the 10-day injured list. Left-handed reliever Jose Suarez was also placed on the paternity list the same day, forcing the club to make three roster moves at once, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
To fill the gaps, Oakland recalled infielder Darell Hernaiz and right-hander Kade Morris from Triple-A Las Vegas and selected the contract of Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. Kuroda-Grauer, the organization's No. 9 prospect, made his major league debut that evening — starting at second base and batting ninth against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Sutter Health Park, KFGO reported.
Wilson's Thumb and Soderstrom's Hip Derail the Lineup
Wilson, a 2025 All-Star and former sixth overall pick, has been out since June 24 after a slide into home plate against the San Francisco Giants. His 10-day IL stint was backdated to June 26. The listed injury is right thumb inflammation. Manager Mark Kotsay said Wilson was "unable to hit" as of Monday, according to MLB.com.
Soderstrom was the team's top power threat in June. He slashed .242/.343/.460 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs over 80 games. His June OPS was .951. He exited a game against the Angels on June 27 with hip tightness. He has since been diagnosed with a left hip impingement and is not cleared for baseball activities, NBC Sports reported.
Five Position Players Now Out — A's Depth Pushed to the Limit
Wilson and Soderstrom are not alone on the IL. The A's now have five regular position players sidelined. Second baseman Zack Gelof has a right hand contusion. DH/outfielder Brent Rooker has a left knee bone bruise. Outfielder Denzel Clarke is out with a left hamstring strain. That is nearly a full starting lineup worth of injured players.
Kotsay acknowledged the timing is bad. "We had a great Spring Training, health-wise. We got out of there crystal clean. I'm not sure if that was a bad omen or what has led to the injuries, but it definitely has hit us at an inopportune time," he told MLB.com. With no outfielders added in the latest moves, Colby Thomas and Carlos Cortes are expected to carry a much bigger load going forward.
Kuroda-Grauer Arrives Leading All of Minor League Baseball in Hits
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer comes up with elite minor league numbers behind him. At the time of his call-up, he led all of minor league baseball with 109 hits. He also ranked second with 76 runs scored and fifth with 23 doubles, according to KFGO. He is known for exceptional bat-to-ball skills and strong contact rates.
His debut marks the third player from the A's 2024 draft class to reach the majors, joining first baseman Nick Kurtz and pitcher Gage Jump. Projection systems like ZiPS view him as a "plus-contact" player who can stabilize the bottom of the order, according to FanGraphs.
A's Still in Wild Card Race Despite the Injury Chaos
Despite the injury wave, Oakland is not out of contention. The A's sit at 40-44, fourth in the AL West, but only 2 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in a tight division, according to Sacramento Bee. Their playoff odds stand at +213. That number has held surprisingly steady even as the roster has been picked apart.
The timing is especially tough. The depleted A's host the MLB-best Dodgers — featuring Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman — for a marquee series in West Sacramento. The A's are playing their second year at the minor-league Sutter Health Park while awaiting their move to Las Vegas. A full-strength roster would have made for a compelling event for local fans.
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