In his second MLB season, Athletics superstar infielder Nick Kurtz has experienced the highest of highs with a 48-game on-base streak earlier this year. Now, with a nagging injury to his right hand, Kurtz is experiencing the lows, with the potential to be sidelined for the rest of the season.
On Tuesday, ahead of their game against the Cincinnati Reds, the Athletics placed Kurtz on the 10-Day IL retroactive to August 1st with a strained right thumb. It is the second time this season that Kurtz will be sidelined by his thumb: the first time was back in July, and it kept him out of his first MLB All-Star Game.
Kurtz returned from the IL on July 25th, but continued to have issues when swinging his bat. He went 1-for-18 in the seven games since returning, with that lone hit being a three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins on July 26th.
On Monday, Kurtz visited a hand specialist in Los Angeles and was diagnosed with a chronic volar plate tear of the MCP joint in his right thumb. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection, but has no definitive timetable for a return. With the Athletics sitting at 45-67 and well out of the AL playoff race, the team may opt to shut Kurtz down for the rest of the season.
Kurtz looked to be on his way to an MVP-caliber season this year after tying Mark McGwire's franchise record on-base streak in a single season. Since struggling with the injury, Kurtz's numbers have slipped, although he still has an impressive .879 OPS. The 23-year-old has 21 home runs, 69 RBI, and seven stolen bases this year.
The Athletics also placed left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs on the 15-Day IL with right hip discomfort. In a corresponding move, the Athletics activated pitcher J.T. Ginn from the IL and recalled infielder Max Muncy from Triple-A Las Vegas.
