Mike Fiers to Undergo MRI on Hand, Hopes to Start for A's on Friday

OAKLAND -- The A's are optimistic that Mike Fiers avoided serious injury when he had to leave Saturday's game in Texas after just 1 2/3 innings.

Fiers, 34, said he felt a shooting numbness in his hand when he delivered a cutter to Rangers infielder Rougned Odor. The right-hander regained feeling in his hand and stayed in the game for a couple of batters before ultimately being removed as a precaution.

Fiers told NBC Sports California that he saw a doctor on Monday and his hand felt fine. He will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, but still plans to throw a bullpen afterward and hopes to start Friday against the Rangers.

"As of right now, he feels pretty good," A's manager Bob Melvin confirmed. "(He got) checked out today. We're hoping it's more muscular. I think he's still going to get an MRI tomorrow. Hopefully, we caught a break as far as that goes. We have a little room to play around with the off day as far as his start, but we're not altering anything until we get all the information tomorrow."

This is not the first time Fiers has experienced this type of numbness in his hand. It has happened a few times earlier this season and a handful of times last year. While he thinks he'll be fine, he just wants to make sure there is no nerve damage.

If Fiers is forced to miss any time, the A's actually do have enough starting rotation depth to get by. Oakland is currently employing a six-man rotation, with Sean Manaea, Tanner Roark, Homer Bailey, Chris Bassitt, and Brett Anderson all pitching well, in addition to Fiers.

[RELATED: Manaea makes case for starting potential wild-card game]

Still, Fiers has been the A's best starter for most of the season, going 14-4 with a 4.09 ERA in 31 starts. Oakland will hope for good news to come out of Tuesday's MRI.

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