A's expect Wilson (shoulder) to miss rest of season (source)

KANSAS CITY -- The A's injury misfortune took yet another hit on Thursday morning as MLB.com's Martín Gallegos reported that starting shortstop Jacob Wilson is likely out for the rest of the 2026 season due to his left shoulder injury, per a source. The club has not confirmed the news.

Wilson is expected to be placed on the injured list by Friday before the A's series opener against the Astros at Daikin Park. The 24-year-old will head back to Sacramento to be examined by a doctor to determine his next steps.

It's another unfortunate blow to an A's club that will have 13 players on the injured list when Wilson is officially added. He had missed the previous three games due to the injury and was not in the lineup again on Thursday afternoon against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

On Wednesday, manager Mark Kotsay said that Wilson had not been swinging or throwing while receiving treatment for his shoulder, which was aggravated on Monday when Wilson couldn't get to his full range of motion while swinging. Kotsay had previously stated that Wilson's availability was strictly as a pinch-runner late in games, but it was unclear if he would be available in the same role on Thursday.

It's the same injury that Wilson had been dealing with since being placed on the injured list in May (left shoulder subluxation) after making a diving attempt for an infield single by Gunnar Henderson. At the time, it was reported that this specific injury can sometimes lead to surgery, but Wilson was able to return exactly one month after his IL placement and play through any lingering issues.

That's been harder of late, as Wilson missed the remainder of Friday's game against the Rangers and Saturday's contest after getting hit by a pitch on his left pinkie finger. Wilson was also placed on the IL at the end of June with right thumb inflammation, but he returned after the minimum 10-day stay.

Despite the constant physical ailments, Wilson has gone on to hit .266 with seven homers, 37 RBIs and a .686 OPS in 80 games. The 2025 All-Star hit .311 with 13 homers, 63 RBIs and a .799 OPS over 125 games in his breakout campaign a year ago.

With Wilson sidelined, he will join Brent Rooker (left knee bone bruise) Shea Langeliers (torn right meniscus), Nick Kurtz (right thumb strain), Luis Severino (right shoulder strain), Tyler Soderstrom (left hip impingement) and Denzel Clarke (left hamstring strain) among others as crucial pieces to the A's core who are currently out with injuries.

That's taken a toll on an A's club that spent 36 days alone in first place after a hot start but has stumbled to a 9-36 mark over the past 45 games since June 27 entering Thursday's finale.

The A's have turned to Darell Hernaiz (two starts), Alika Williams and Donovan Walton at shortstop in the four games during Wilson's absence.