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Nick Kurtz, the Oakland Athletics’ power hitter, is scheduled to meet with a hand specialist in Los Angeles on Monday to address an injured right thumb that may force him back onto the injured list. The examination comes as the team evaluates the 23-year-old’s status moving forward, according to Manager Mark Kotsay.
Kurtz initially landed on the injured list with a sprained right thumb on July 11 and missed two weeks before returning to action. Since his comeback, his performance at the plate has deteriorated significantly, producing just one hit in 18 at-bats across seven games. A hit-by-pitch on his left forearm during Wednesday’s contest did not prevent him from playing in the subsequent two games.
The slugger is batting .256 this season with 21 home runs and a team-leading 69 runs batted in. Kurtz ranks third in major league baseball with 79 walks and fourth among qualified hitters with a .396 on-base percentage heading into Sunday’s action, while his .879 OPS places him 12th across the majors.
Shortstop Jacob Wilson has been sidelined since Wednesday with knee tendinitis that restricted him from defensive play, though he served as designated hitter in recent games. Wilson is on pace to return to shortstop for Tuesday’s series opener against Cincinnati and sits three games shy of Mike Bordick’s 2002 errorless streak record for the position at 107 games.
Right-hander J.T. Ginn is expected to come off the injured list to start against the Reds after missing time since July 19 with a blister on his right middle finger. Ginn carries a record of 8-6 with a 3.46 earned run average this season.
Third baseman Zack Gelof will begin a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Las Vegas following an absence that began July 10 after sustaining a knee laceration while sliding into the wall during a catch attempt.
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