Puk surgery a ‘cleanup’

The A’s received good news Friday on A.J. Puk’s shoulder surgery, as Puk had a “cleanup” but did not require any structural repairs and is expected to be ready for spring training next year, head trainer Nick Paparesta said.

Puk, the team’s firstround draft pick in 2016, had surgery Wednesday in Los Angeles with Dr. Neal ElAttrache at the KerlanJobe Institute. The procedure involved debridement of Puk’s labrum and rotator cuff, Paparesta said, and a cleanout of his shoulder because of bursitis.

“They didn’t need to do any type of repairs or sutures within the procedure,” Paparesta said. “The plan would be for him to be throwing probably in about 10 weeks. Obviously, that would put us near December, so we’ll probably err on the side of caution and go 12 weeks and just start him up with the normal offseason throwing program that we’d have for him.”

Puk has started physical therapy and is scheduled to have his stitches removed Monday, Paparesta said. The A’s hope Puk would have no limitations by spring training. “He’s just excited this thing’s finally taken care of and he can get rolling next year,” Paparesta said.

Mengden update: Pitcher Daniel Mengden, who tested positive for the coronavirus last month, was cleared to be activated and worked out at the A’s alternate site Friday. Mengden tested positive Aug. 28 while the A’s were in Houston and quarantined at home in Houston after the positive result.

“He’s been asymptomatic throughout this entire process,” Paparesta said. “He’s been able to throw and work out on his own, isolated, without (the) public around him.”

Under MLB protocols, Mengden had to test negative for the virus twice at least 24 hours apart and be cleared by a joint committee of MLB and its players’ union as no longer presenting risk of infection.

Briefly: The A’s officially completed their trade for lefthander Mike Minor, confirming minorleaguers Dustin Harris and Marcus Smith as the players sent to the Rangers in the Aug. 31 deal . ... Frankie Montas was reinstated from the paternity list before Friday night’s game, but it was unclear if he’ll pitch this weekend against the Giants. Jesús Luzardo will start Saturday, manager Bob Melvin said. Outfielder Seth Brown was optioned to clear a roster spot . ... Stephen Piscotty (right knee sprain) didn’t play Friday but was available to pinchhit and hoped to be in the lineup Saturday.