A's third base candidate Diaz sidelined with strained groin
The wide-open battle for the A's starting third baseman job took an unfortunate turn for veteran Aledmys Diaz, who could open the regular season on the injured list.
Diaz, easily Oakland's highest-paid position player at $8 million this season, was diagnosed Friday with a strained groin suffered on Wednesday that manager Mark Kotsay said will sideline him at least “2-to-3 weeks.”
Jordan Diaz and Darell Hernaiz, Diaz's two biggest competitors at third base who had been struggling, each factored into Oakland's 12-8 spring training win over Seattle on Saturday. Diaz, who entered the game 1 for 8, doubled and scored twice. Hernaiz, the team's No. 9 prospect according to MLB.com, had a hit, scored and drove in a run
after starting the spring just 1 for 10.
— Jon Becker ACUÑA HAS AILING KNEE >> Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. has some irritation around the meniscus in his surgically repaired right knee.
The reigning NL MVP had an MRI on Friday. He
will be evaluated on Monday by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who repaired the outfielder's torn right ACL in July 2021.
The 26-year-old Acuña is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, but that timeline could change after he sees ElAttrache in California.
CAUTIOUS APPROACH FOR MANOAH >>
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah felt some soreness during a bullpen session on Friday. He had an MRI that showed “no structural concern at all,” manager John Schneider said.
“He was throwing and kind of just said `Eh, it feels a little bit cranky,' and just wanted to be extra careful at this point in camp,” Schneider told reporters.
Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts for Toronto in 2022. But he struggled last year, going 3-9 with a 5.87 ERA in 19 starts. He was optioned to the minors twice.