Following the team’s 14-8 loss on Monday night to the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz let his emotions get the best of him. The left-handed punched a chair on his way back to the team’s clubhouse after his shortest outing of the season, breaking his right hand in doing so. The team placed him on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.
There is no timetable for his return, but MLB.com’s Jane Lee notes that Pomeranz will be able to continue throwing while his non-throwing hand heals. It’s merely a question of how soon he’s able to catch the ball again.
Pomeranz admitted to reporters, including Lee, that he’d let his frustration get in the way:
"I just let my emotions take over me and I did something stupid. Obviously, I didn’t mean for it to happen. It sucks because I want to play, I want to pitch. I’m trying to win games and help the team out. Obviously, I’m not helping the team out when I do something stupid like that."
The 25 year old had been having the best season of his career thus far with Oakland, after three subpar seasons with the Colorado Rockies. Pomeranz was part of the package the A’s received in dealing Brett Anderson to Colorado. He’d thrown 55.2 IP on the year, posting a 2.91 ERA and 1.240 WHIP even after Monday’s disastrous outing against the Rangers. It was the shortest start of Pomeranz’ career, as he’d allowed eight runs on eight hits and two walks in just 3.2 IP.
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Oakland does appear to have options to replace him in the rotation. Right-handers Dan Straily (4.93 ERA and 1.252 WHIP in 38.1 IP with Oakland; 3.55 ERA and 1.182 WHIP in 45.2 IP at Triple-A) and Arnold Leon (5.35 ERA and 1.530 WHIP in 67.1 IP), both at Triple-A, were named by manager Doug Melvin as potential options, according to Lee.
The A’s could also look to left-hander Brad Mills, whom they’d acquired earlier in the day Tuesday from the Milwaukee Brewers. Mills had an opt-out clause in his contract with Milwaukee if another team was willing to place him on their 25-man roster. He exercised it over the weekend, leading to the deal which was first reported as being for cash considerations. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported later Tuesday that Oakland will pay Milwaukee just $1 to complete the deal. Mills had posted a 1.56 ERA and 0.920 WHIP in 75.0 IP at Triple-A, but the Brewers appeared to have no plans to promote him to their active roster.