ARLINGTON -- Just when you thought it was going to be a good night for the Athletics on the health front, the injury bug struck yet again.
During the second inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field, Tommy White swung through a pitch from MacKenzie Gore and immediately winced with a look of discomfort before turning around and reaching for his left side. After a brief conversation with head athletic trainer Jeff Collins and manager Mark Kotsay, the 23-year-old rookie walked back to the dugout and was replaced mid-at-bat by pinch-hitter Michael Stefanic. After his exit, the team announced he was removed with lower back tightness.
White’s early exit came on a day in which the A’s were excited to get back their Opening Day center fielder in Denzel Clarke, who was reinstated from the 60-day IL on Tuesday for his first Major League game since April 20.
Even with Clarke’s return, though, the A’s injured list remains crowded with 11 players, including six of the 10 players from their Opening Day starters, among them starter Luis Severino. White could soon become the 12th member of that group depending on the severity of his injury.
White, whose presence in the big leagues right now is largely an opportunity created as a result of so many injuries, has held his own at the big league level as he entered Tuesday batting .255 with two home runs, five doubles and eight RBIs through his first 39 games.
Should White have to miss an extended amount of time, the A’s would likely cover third base – his main position – with several options on the active roster such as Zack Gelof, Max Muncy and Darell Hernaiz. They could also reach down to Triple-A Las Vegas for another infielder, such as Joey Meneses.