Laureano, Reed get MRIs after BP injuries
cSA, ARiZ. >> The Oakland A’s depth at center field took a hit on Wednesday morning. How substantial that hit will be remains to be seen.
Everyday center fielder Ramón Laureano and rising outfield prospect Buddy Reed had MRIs on Tuesday for injuries incurred in the batting cages. Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that based on the results of the exams Laureano will be back next week, but that Reed “will be out for a while.”
Laureano was scratched from Tuesday’s game with
left side soreness that Melvin said involves his intercostal muscle.
Reed has a right quad strain. Both players were injured taking hacks in the batting cages.
Any extended amount of time missed for either player is a huge hit, for varying reasons. With Opening Day looming, they’ll want Laureano at full strength for a difficult stretch of games against the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old will also be missing key at bats down to the final two weeks of Cactus League play.
Laureano was looking strong at the plate, batting .333 with two home runs, a double and a triple in 15 at bats this spring.
Reed, a non-roster invite, is having a breakout spring performance. He’s shined defensively, showing off his arm on a handful of outfield assists and a well-timed catch at the wall to rob MVP Jose Abreu of extra bases. Reed escaped the first round of spring cuts, and the A’s wanted an extended look at their 2019 acquisition -who hasn’t played a game yet in the A’s system.
“This is the best opportunity he’s ever had to play,” Melvin said. “I know it’s still spring training but he’s gotten a lot of atbats and he’s played with the A group at times, so yeah I’m sure he’s very disappointed.”
The two injuries also deliver a tremendous hit to the A’s center field depth in camp. Without Laureano and Reed, Mark Canha played center field Wednesday. Rule 5 draft pick Ka’ai Tom and Cody Thomas — whom the A’s acquired in a trade with the Dodgers that also netted them reliever Adam Kolarek — can also play center field.