Injuries & Moves: Gelof to IL; Hernaiz recalled
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April 25: 2B Zack Gelof (left oblique strain) placed on 10-day injured list; INF Darell Hernaiz recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas
Gelof, who was scratched from Wednesday’s starting lineup against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, landed on the IL on Thursday after imaging revealed a strained left oblique. A’s manager Mark Kotsay described the Grade 1 strain as being on the “lower level” in terms of severity, and is hopeful that Gelof could return once eligible on May 4 or soon after that.
“Losing Zack, we’re hopeful that it’s a short period of time as opposed to a long period of time,” Kotsay said. “We decided to take a cautious approach. I think if it was into September, he’d probably play through it. But being that it’s April, I’m glad we erred on the side of caution.”
Gelof had started each of Oakland’s first 24 games this season and the club’s past 88 games -- all at second base -- dating back to July 20, 2023.
Hernaiz, ranked Oakland’s No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, came up from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace Gelof on the active roster. He was in Thursday’s starting lineup at third base and should see most of his time on the left side of the infield while Abraham Toro and Max Schuemann get the majority of reps at second base.
April 23: RHP Luis Medina (right knee), LHPs Ken Waldichuk (elbow) and Scott Alexander (rib) making progress
Medina, Waldichuk and Alexander -- all of whom are traveling with the A’s during their current three-city, 10-game road trip -- each threw bullpen sessions prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Yankees. Waldichuk and Medina both threw 30 pitches in their sessions, while Alexander’s session consisted of 20 pitches.
“Waldichuk looked really good and got his velocity up from his last bullpen,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. "He’s trending in the right direction. Luis Medina’s velo looked right where it’s supposed to be, and Scott Alexander looked really good, too.”
Alexander is expected to go out on a Minor League rehab assignment as early as next week, while Waldichuk and Medina will face hitters in a simulated game at some point next week before going out on their own rehab assignments. As a reliever, Alexander is only expected to need a few outings before returning, while Medina and Waldichuk will require longer rehab stints to build up as starters.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
2B Zack Gelof (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Mid-May
Gelof felt discomfort while taking part in pregame infield drills on April 24, which later led to an MRI revealing a Grade 1 strain of his left oblique. With his IL placement retroactive to April 24, the A’s are hopeful he could return once eligible on May 4 or shortly after that date. (Last updated: April 25)
LHP Scott Alexander (stress reaction in left rib)
Expected return: Early May
Alexander threw a bullpen session at Yankee Stadium on April 23 and is expected to go out on a Minor League rehab assignment during the week of April 29. (Last updated: April 23)
3B J.D. Davis (right groin strain)
Expected return: TBD
Davis landed on the injured list on April 15 due to a right groin strain that he sustained while chasing down a fly ball during a game against the Nationals on April 14. There is no timetable for his return. (Last updated: April 15)
RHP Freddy Tarnok (right hip inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Tarnok received a cortisone injection to address scar tissue built up in his left hip and is expected to begin throwing off a mound at some point during the week of April 15. There is no timetable for a return to game action at this time. (Last updated: April 12)
OF Miguel Andujar (right knee)
Expected return: May
Andujar, who underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on March 27, has begun playing catch and will begin a running and hitting progression the week of April 15. Originally given a recovery timeline of at least four to six weeks, Andujar is expected to join the big league club once healthy, though he will likely require a Minor League rehab assignment before making his A’s debut. (Last updated: April 12)
60-DAY IL
RHP Luis Medina (Right knee grade 2 MCL sprain)
Expected return: June
Medina threw a 30-pitch bullpen at Yankee Stadium on April 23 and came away feeling healthy. He is expected to face hitters at some point during the week of April 29 and could go out on a Minor League rehab assignment shortly afterward, where he will build up his pitch count as a starter. (Last updated: April 23)
LHP Ken Waldichuk (left elbow sprain)
Expected return: June
Waldichuk threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session on April 23 at Yankee Stadium and came away feeling healthy. He is expected to face hitters during the week of April 29 and go out on a rehab assignment shortly afterward. (Last updated: April 23)
INF Aledmys Díaz (right calf strain)
Expected return: TBD
Díaz started a running progression on April 12, which A’s manager Mark Kotsay said is “the most important part” of his recovery from a right calf strain that his sidelined him since March 12 during Spring Training. The infielder continues partaking in minimal baseball activity with no timetable for a return at this time. (Last updated: April 12)
LHP Sean Newcomb (left knee irritation)
Expected return: TBD
Newcomb will begin a throwing progression the week of April 15. The left-hander, who was in line to begin the season as a member of the A’s bullpen, has been shut down from throwing since the final week of Spring Training. (Last updated: April 12)
RHP Trevor Gott (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
After feeling discomfort following his Cactus League outing on March 16 against the Brewers, MRI results revealed a full tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in Gott’s right elbow. He is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, which will cause him to miss the entirety of the 2024 season. (Last updated: March 24)