For the second straight start, A's right-hander Mike Fiers couldn't make it out of the second inning. This time, however, it was due to an injury.
Fiers left Saturday's game in Texas after 1 2/3 innings with right arm nerve irritation. The 34-year-old recorded the first two outs of the second inning before allowing a single to Danny Santana. Following a balk, A's manager Bob Melvin and trainer Nick Paparesta came out to examine Fiers, who was seen rubbing his forearm.
Fiers is done after just 39 pitches. Appears to be some sort of injury he tried to work through. Hopefully precautionary more than anything serious, but we'll know more later tonight…#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/VhS8ivlwPf— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) September 15, 2019
Would appear to be some kind of sensation in Fiers' forearm/hand. But hate to speculate.#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/l2ZOfDSvMA— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) September 15, 2019
Fiers temporarily stayed in the game, allowing a two-run home run to Rougned Odor and a walk to Delino DeShields. His fastball velocity fell from 91-92 mph to 87-88 mph in those at-bats.
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Fortunately, the A's have stockpiled some impressive depth in their starting rotation, with Sean Manaea, Tanner Roark, Chris Bassitt, Homer Bailey, and Brett Anderson all pitching well, in addition to Fiers.
Still, Fiers has been Oakland's best starter for most of the season, going 14-4 with a 4.09 ERA. If he is forced to miss time, it would be a significant blow to the A's down the stretch.
