A’s say Chapman good to go for spring
A’s third baseman Matt Chapman hasn’t been on the baseball diamond since he left a game in September against the San Diego Padres with hip pain.
After surgery on his torn right labrum Sept. 15, Chapman is on track to be cleared for spring training in 2021 — whenever that may be — manager Bob Melvin said.
“He’s full speed ahead, he’s ready go, depending on when everything starts,” Melvin said in a Zoom conference with reporters. “We’re looking at, for a full season, I don’t think there’s any doubt he’ll be ready to go and he’s told me that as well.”
Will Chapman have any restrictions when spring training starts? The A’s will evaluate him — like they do for every player — if and when the team convenes in Mesa, Ariz. for the new season.
“I expect him to be a full go,” Melvin said.
With the hip ailing him, Chapman struggled with his timing at the plate and his typically stellar defense at third base looked uncharacteristically sloppy. He struck out 10 times in his final 11 at-bats and committed five errors.
Initially diagnosed with right hip tendinitis on Sept. 7, a second opinion days later from Dr. Marc Philippon prompted Chapman to repair the labrum and undergo a clean up of the femoral head. A’s head athletic director Nick Paparesta said after the surgery that Chapman would need at least four months to recover.
Chapman is eager to share his progress with the manager.
“He checked in with me before I could check in with him in his last update,” Melvin said.