How A's Will Compensate for Loss of Stephen Piscotty to Injured List

OAKLAND -- The A's 5-4 loss to the Giants on Sunday was compounded by more bad news on the injury front. Oakland manager Bob Melvin announced after the game that right fielder Stephen Piscotty would have to go on the 10-day injured list with a right ankle injury.

Piscotty underwent an MRI earlier Sunday and the results revealed a high ankle sprain. He will see a specialist on Monday in order to determine a timetable for his return.

"Not how I wanted to start my day, that's for sure," Piscotty said. "But there's nothing I can do about it now. I've just got to suck it up, put my work in, and get this ankle right and then get back and rejoin the team."

Piscotty, 28, initially suffered the injury last weekend on an awkward slide back into second base on a pickoff attempt. He was able to play through the ailment but felt more discomfort in Saturday's loss to the Giants.

"There was a swing last night that maybe aggravated it," Piscotty said. "It was progressing in the right direction and then took a step back."

With Piscotty going on the IL, Melvin said the A's will make a corresponding move on Monday. That will likely be the return of outfielder Nick Martini from Triple-A Las Vegas. The 29-year-old left Sunday's Aviators game early after going 2-for-4 with a home run.

Martini has played in six games with the A's this season, going 1-for-11 with a home run, two RBI, and two walks. Last year as a rookie, he slashed .296/.397/.414 in 55 games.

Without Piscotty, the A's starting outfield will likely consist of Mark Canha, Chad Pinder, and Robbie Grossman until Ramón Laureano is ready to return from a stress reaction in his right shin. Laureano is making good progress and could be back in early September.

[RELATED: A's to retire Stewart's No. 34]

Martini could also get some playing time in the outfield, as could Jurickson Profar, who has already played two games in left field this season. The A's will have even more option in September when the rosters expand.

Oakland heads out on a seven-game road trip this week featuring four games against the Royals and three against the Yankees.

Copyright CSNBY - CSN BAY
Contact Us