Extensive behind-the-scenes prep has A's targeting Butler's spring debut

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- For the Athletics, a starting lineup will not feel fully complete until it includes Lawrence Butler, something that has yet to happen through their first 19 Cactus League games.

Just because Butler has yet to play in a game, however, does not mean that he’s all that far behind in his preparation for the regular season. In fact, manager Mark Kotsay estimates that with the amount of action Butler has seen in live batting practices and sim games, the right fielder might have the most at-bats of any A’s player in Spring Training.

“He’s getting his work in, and he’s getting his at-bats,” Kotsay said before Wednesday’s 13-3 win over the D-backs at Salt River Fields. “Every hurdle he’s had to climb, he’s climbing.”

Kotsay estimated that Butler has already had over 30 live at-bats. On Tuesday, Butler played in a game on the Minor League side of camp with Triple-A Las Vegas. Making five plate appearances, he drew four walks and hit a ball on the ground a projected 110 mph off the bat, according to the stadium’s Trackman data.

“He’s almost killed a couple of pitchers with how hard he’s hitting the ball,” Kotsay said.

Butler entered Spring Training in the final stages of his rehab from offseason surgery on his right knee, with baserunning essentially his final hurdle to clear before playing in games. With Minor League games now underway this spring, Butler can ease into that by running at less than full speed in those games.

“I’m sure he’ll be happy when he gets to hit and run down and touch the base as opposed to just watching it hit the outfield grass,” Kotsay said. “He’ll have to run, but he doesn’t have to go down the line and deal with people yelling and screaming at him about why he isn’t giving full effort.”

Despite the only pitching he’s seen this spring being limited to his own teammates and other Minor League arms, Butler said he feels right where he wants to be at this point in terms of his swing.

“I feel great at the plate,” Butler said. “I’m glad they’re letting me get all these ABs to let me continue to work on my approach at the plate. I might not run after I hit, but I’m still getting the reps in that are needed for me to be ready for the regular season.”

Of course, nothing gets the competitive juices flowing like an actual Cactus League game. There is no set date for Butler’s debut, though the A’s are targeting next week, most likely after the team’s off-day next Wednesday.

Until then, Butler will do his best to practice patience while watching from the dugout and get as much as he can out of his reps in Minor League games.

“I want to play really bad,” Butler said. “It’s a process. I have to trust the process. Trust the training staff, all the strength coaches helping me get back to where I want to be. I’ve been taking a lot of live at-bats. ... I’m still working every day just trying to get better and get back to myself.”

Gelof plays the field
Zack Gelof joined Butler on the Minor League side on Tuesday, one day after making his spring debut for the A’s as the designated hitter, and played second base with Triple-A Las Vegas for what was his first game playing defense this spring.

The A’s were encouraged with where Gelof was from a hitting standpoint earlier this spring after making adjustments this offseason to make his swing “a little bit more level” -- like it was in 2023, when he hit .267 with an .841 OPS, 14 home runs and 20 doubles in 69 games as a rookie.

Looking to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, Gelof will get opportunities in both Cactus League and Minor League games with reps at second base and in the outfield over the next two weeks.

“Most important part of it is the health and getting him comfortable being on a field and being able to play free,” Kotsay said. “That’s the process we’re going through. His at-bats, he’s made some changes in his attack angle, which is showing up on the data. He’s in a good place right now with those adjustments. Now it’s just building confidence in the swing.”