A’s Puk reinstated from IL, optioned back to Las Vegas
A.J. Puk is one of the A’s top prospects, but injuries have barred him from taking off.
The left-hander was reinstated from the 10-day IL on Friday, but with Reymin Guduan headed to the IL with a groin strain, the A’s recalled lefthanded reliever Jordan Weems — optioning Puk to Las Vegas. As of now, the timetable for Puk’s return to the big league roster is still up in the air.
Though Puk has made five appearances with the Las Vegas Aviators since his rehab assignment began on May 11, the A’s are being extra cautious with the oft-injured pitcher. With the Aviators, they’re looking for consistency both in health and performance.
“That’s the way it usually is,” manager Bob Melvin said. “You perform well, you get brought up here. He’s had trouble staying healthy the last few times, so we want to make sure he gets a few outings, does well, and gets a few more outings before he comes here.”
The 26-year-old hasn’t found much consistent success in his outings with the Triple-A team, allowing seven runs over two innings in his past two outings and one run over three innings in his first three appearances. Overall, he’s struck out nine batters, allowed three home runs with one walk and a 14.40 ERA over five total innings.
Puk’s last appearance with the big league team was his best with Oakland, pitching three scoreless innings with three walks, a hit and four strikeouts against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 5. He was sent to the IL a few days later for a left biceps strain.
If and when Puk returns, he will pitch in relief with the hope that he can stretch out over the course of the season as a starter.
Puk had Tommy John surgery in 2018 and made his MLB debut in 2019 with the A’s. He missed all of the 2020 season after undergoing left shoulder surgery last September.
DODGERS’ BELLINGER SET TO RETURN >> Cody Bellinger is ready to return from a broken leg that’s sidelined him for nearly two months.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the 2019 NL MVP will start in center field today and Sunday against the Giants.
Bellinger has been out since April 5 with a hairline fracture in his left fibula.
MORE TEAMS ABLE TO RELAX PROTOCOLS >> A majority of Major League Baseball’s 30 teams have been able to relax coronavirus protocols after two additional clubs qualified and raised the total to 16 franchises reaching 85% vaccinations for players and other on-field personnel.
The commissioner’s office and the players’ association said Friday that three additional teams had reached the 85% level of having received final doses and would be able to relax protocols within the next two weeks once they are fully vaccinated. The teams were not identified.