Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was held out of Friday night’s lineup after being diagnosed with a right thumb capsule strain — an injury that could cost him a spot in next Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay said the team anticipates Kurtz will need to be placed on the 10-day injured list, a move that would make him unavailable for the All-Star Game. Kurtz had been selected as the American League’s starting first baseman after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays withdrew from the game due to a back injury.
“We had Kurtz evaluated because he’s been dealing with a right thumb issue,” Kotsay said. “He’s played through it for, I don’t want to quote the timeline, but more than a few days. … We’re expecting him to have to go to the IL, which, obviously, will impact the All-Star Game. Once we really determine that, we’ll have more info.”
Kurtz left Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after just one and a half innings. The team initially cited illness as the reason for his early exit, but Kurtz also appeared to injure the hand while attempting to field a throw during the bottom of the first inning.
The 23-year-old is hitting .266 with 20 home runs across 92 games this season. His 66 RBIs entering Friday ranked second-highest among American League players.
In additional roster moves, the Athletics placed versatile infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof on the 10-day injured list with a knee injury and called up first baseman/outfielder Joey Meneses from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Gelof, 26, suffered the knee injury Thursday night while playing left field. He made a sliding catch in foul territory after a lengthy run, and his knee was cut when it struck the metal railing in front of the stands. The injury came shortly after Gelof had returned from a right hand contusion on July 4. In 67 games this season, he is batting .273 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs.
Meneses, 34, appeared in seven games with the A’s earlier this year, going 2-for-14 with two RBIs for a .143 batting average.
