A's place All-Star SS Wilson on IL with left shoulder subluxation

WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Athletics will have to move forward without their spark plug.

Jacob Wilson was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder subluxation ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Cardinals. The A’s shortstop sustained the injury while diving for an infield single hit by Gunnar Henderson on Sunday afternoon. An MRI on Monday confirmed the subluxation.

Wilson’s IL placement is retroactive to May 11, though based on recent cases of players around MLB who have dealt with shoulder subluxations, these injuries tend to linger longer than the minimum 10 days and sometimes lead to surgery.

At this point, Wilson is not expected to require surgery. He will begin a rehab program to strengthen and stabilize his left shoulder before reintroducing baseball activities. There is no timetable for his return at this time.

Wilson has looked more and more like the 2025 All-Star version of himself at the plate following what was initially a slow start to the season. After hitting .196 over his first 12 games, Wilson batted .336 with an .826 OPS in his last 27 games, bringing his overall average to .292 for the season.

The A’s, who continue to lead the American League West (21-19), will lose a lot with Wilson out of the lineup. At times, he’s been utilized as the table-setter atop the order who can get on base for the sluggers behind him. Other times, he’s been slotted in the fifth or sixth spot in the lineup and has done plenty of damage with his elite bat-to-ball skills, leading to clutch RBI knocks or, at the very least, the ability to move runners over and keep the line moving.

Wilson is the third A’s position player to land on the IL over the past few weeks, joining center fielder Denzel Clarke and third baseman Max Muncy. Replacing Wilson, however, might be more of a difficult task, considering his value both on offense and defense, where he’s emerged as an elite shortstop with the glove.

Darell Hernaiz is likely to get the majority of playing time at shortstop in Wilson’s absence, much like he did last season when Wilson missed time due to a fractured left forearm. As part of Tuesday’s roster moves, which featured the callup of hot-hitting No. 5 prospect Henry Bolte, the A’s also called up infielder Michael Stefanic from Triple-A Las Vegas. Stefanic, who was hitting .250 with a .706 OPS in 34 games for Las Vegas, could see time at second and third base.