Melvin: Puk won’t be ready for Opening Day
PEORIA, ARIZ. >> A.J. Puk will likely have to wait to make his highly anticipated debut in the Oakland Athletics’ rotation.
A’s manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that “it’s probably a stretch” for Puk to be ready for the rotation by Opening Day with the big left-hander still shut down with shoulder soreness.
Puk visited specialist Dr. Neal Elattrache on Thursday, and his second opinion confirmed an earlier MRI that showed no structural damage to Puk’s shoulder. But there remains no timetable for Puk to resume throwing. Melvin said the A’s want him to “do a little more strengthening” before he resumes baseball activities, at which point Oakland’s medical staff will be able to determine a timetable to get him back on the mound.
“We’ll re-assess once we get him back on a throwing schedule,” Melvin said. “As far as starting goes, it’s probably a long shot at this point.”
When Puk made his return from Tommy John surgery late last season, he did
so in the bullpen, making 10 appearances in Oakland. Melvin hypothesized that could be an option for Puk to be with the A’s on Opening Day without being fully stretched out. He struck out 13 and allowed four runs in 11 1/3 innings out of the A’s bullpen at the end of 2019.
Puk, the A’s first-round pick in 2016, hasn’t made a start — or pitched more than two innings in one outing — since Aug. 31, with Double-a Midland.
That wouldn’t have been an issue if not for his delayed throwing schedule this spring, Melvin said.
Whether it comes in the minors or out of the bullpen to begin the season, Puk will get stretched out and join the rotation at some point this season.
In the meantime, who will take his place? Expect the A’s to look to Chris Bassitt, who started 25 games last season and should have a place on the staff this season, whether it be in the rotation or the bullpen. LUZARDO CARVES UP MARINERS >> Rookie left-hander Jesús Luzardo struck out eight of the 13 batters he faced in the A’s 8-4 Cactus League win over the Mariners.
Luzardo allowed one run, two hits and walked a batter in his dominating 3 1/3 innings.
Before the game, Melvin spoke highly of not just of Luzardo’s repertoire, but how the 22-year-old has carried himself this spring.
“The stuff’s off the charts,” Melvin said. “The thing that impresses me the most is his presence and his confidence. For a young guy at his age, you don’t see it very often . ... He’s just got the total package, as far as the demeanor you want for a pitcher and for a young pitcher.”
For the first time in his career, Luzardo entered camp with a spot guaranteed on the big-league roster. He began throwing later this offseason, and by all accounts, it has paid off.
As Melvin said, “You could sit here all day talking about the superlatives of Jesús Luzardo,” and, oh ... whoops, I just did.
RULE 5 PICK CONTINUES TO IMPRESS >> All eyes are on the battle for what is likely two roster spots between four infielders: Franklin Barreto, Jorge Mateo, Tony Kemp and Vimael Machin. The first two young shortstops had the day off Saturday with Kemp in the lineup at second base and Machin helming the hot corner.
One big reason the A’s like Machin over Barreto and Mateo is his plate discipline, and that was on display Saturday afternoon. He worked a walk in his first plate appearance, then ripped a single to left field that brought home Kemp and catcher Sean Murphy for the A’s third and fourth runs of the day.
“That’s what we got him for,” Melvin said. “His versatility, and we’ve said he’s got an advanced bat, whether it’s walks, a lack of strikeouts, puts the barrel on it.”
Machin, who will have to be offered back to the Cubs if he doesn’t make the roster, has now reached base in 12 of his 26 plate appearances this spring, including four walks.
“He’s showing us exactly what we thought this spring,” Melvin said.
A’S MAKE MORE ROSTER MOVES >> Before Saturday’s game, the A’s continued to trim their spring training roster, making the first position-player cuts of camp.
They optioned outfielders Skye Bolt and Luis Barrera to Triple-a Las Vegas, as well as right-hander Paul Blackburn. Catcher Collin Theroux was also reassigned to minor league camp.
For Bolt, a promising 26-year-old who made his MLB debut last May, Melvin wanted to stress this was not a demotion.
“He just needs to play,” Melvin said. “He had a great year last year too to the point where I think he was our first outfield callup . ... Once you get a taste of the big leagues, you want to get back. That’s his focus.”