Sprained Wrist Lands Josh Reddick on the DL

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

As the Oakland Athletics try to retain the lead atop the AL West that they’ve quietly maintained all season, the team is being forced to deal with a mounting collection injury concerns that appear to be coming at the worst possible part of the season. Josh Reddick is the latest to make his way onto the team’s disabled list, re-injuring the same right wrist that forced him to miss 24 games earlier this season. The A’s remain optimistic that he’ll be able to avoid surgery.

According to MLB.com’s Jane Lee, Reddick thinks that he initially re-injured his wrist diving for a ball in the outfield last week. He felt ok and played over the weekend, only further aggravating the injury.

Having emerged as a real offensive threat during the 2012 season, Reddick’s 2013 has been nothing short of a disappointment. He’s slipped to a .213/.297/.362 line in 375 PA, completing lacking the power production that made him a well known name the prior season. Defensively he was still the Gold Glove caliber fielder, but his struggles at the plate have been tough to overlook.

Daric Barton has been recalled from Triple-A to take Reddick’s place on the active roster. He’s expected to platoon with Nate Frieman at first base. That would allow Brandon Moss to see more time in right field, his natural position, sharing time with Chris Young. Rosters can expand as of Saturday, so the team will not need to send someone out once Reddick returns.