A's lose closer to injury, make flurry of roster moves

The Oakland A's announced a flurry of roster moves ahead of their series opener at home against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

Closer Dany Jiménez was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained right shoulder, Matt Davidson — who went 4-for-24 with one home run in eight games — was designated for assignment and outfielder Luis Barrera was optioned to Triple-a Las Vegas. Sam Moll was placed on the COVID-19 list.

A's manager Mark Kotsay said Jiménez had a MRI but there was no structural damage to his shoulder.

“We're going to make sure he's 100%,” Kotsay said.

“We'll take our time through these next 15 days and get him built back up and then obviously have to assess where he's at from that standpoint.”

Kotsay said pregame that there wouldn't be a designated interim closer while Jiménez is sidelined and that A.J. Puk, Zach Jackson and Domingo Acevedo could step in that role. Lou Trivino could also be an option as he was 22 for 26 in save opportunities last year, but Trivino has an 8.66 ERA in 24 appearances this season

“I think we'll look at it each night and do our best job to give ourselves a good matchup down there,” Kotsay said.

Infielders Nick Allen and Sheldon Neuse were recalled from Triple-a Las Vegas and are in Tuesday's starting lineup. Lefthanded relief pitcher Kirby Snead was also called up and right-handed pitcher Domingo Tapia is taking the roster spot vacated by Jiménez.

Neuse, who is batting sixth and playing third, made the Opening Day roster but struggled as he batted .228 but had success in Las Vegas with four home runs and 16 RBI in 12 games.

“I'm not trying to do too much getting back to where I was the first month and squaring the ball up early and accounts not missing,” Neuse said.

Allen returns to the A's for the third time this season, with his last stint with the A's happening on May 20 and 21. In Triple-a he batted .266 with 27 walks and a .371 on-base percentage.

“I competed and found a couple of things that clicked,” Allen said. “I was finding a good rhythm and staying on top of the ball hitting hard line drives. I think that was my main focus.”

CRAWFORD AVOIDS WORSTCASE SCENARIO >> The Giants avoided catastrophe when shortstop Brandon Crawford walked — OK, limped — away from a collision at home plate Tuesday night against the Braves with only a knee contusion.

On a sacrifice fly from Luis González in the fourth inning, Crawford appeared to injure his left leg while scoring at home plate, forcing him to leave the game. Crawford was initially called out — and seemed to react late to there being a play at home plate at all — when Michael Harris II'S throw from center field beat him home.

Upon review, Crawford was called safe, giving the Giants a 6-5 lead in an eventual 12-10 win.

His left knee collided with Atlanta catcher Travis d'arnaud's shin guard, leaving him with a knee contusion (bruise) but nothing more serious.

After the game, manager Gabe Kapler said Crawford would undergo an MRI on Wednesday, but he wasn't expected to miss much time.

“It could've been worse,” Crawford said. “A lot of people have been asking how I'm doing. Relatively fine, I think.”

Crawford's ability to bounce back from the collision with the expectation that he won't require a stint on the injured list is just another example of his durability. Crawford's 1,469 games at shortstop are the most in franchise history, and he has never missed more than 24 in a single season.