The Athletics are awaiting further medical evaluation on All-Star first baseman Nick Kurtz after he exited Wednesday night's 4-2, 10-inning loss to the Boston Red Sox with an apparent left arm injury. According to MLB.com's Martín Gallegos, Kurtz is scheduled to undergo an MRI after initial X-rays were inconclusive.
The injury occurred in the first inning when Kurtz was hit on the left forearm and wrist area by a 95 mph sinker from Boston starter Patrick Sandoval. Although he remained on the bases for the rest of the inning, the 23-year-old was replaced before the second, with Jeff McNeil taking over at first base.
The Athletics fell to 45-63 with the loss, leaving them fourth in the American League West.
Kurtz had only recently returned from a thumb sprain that forced him to miss the All-Star Game, making the latest setback especially concerning for the Athletics. Manager Mark Kotsay's lineup has already been depleted by injuries to Shea Langeliers, Zack Gelof, Josh Kuroda-Grauer and Brent Rooker.
The club will wait for the MRI results before determining whether Kurtz will require another stint on the injured list.
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Despite missing time earlier this month, Kurtz has remained the centerpiece of the Athletics' lineup. Through 97 games, he is batting .260 with a .399 on-base percentage and a .491 slugging percentage while leading the team with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs. His 77 walks also rank among the Major League leaders.
Losing Kurtz for an extended period would be another significant blow for an Athletics club focused on developing its young core during the second half. The MRI results are expected to provide clarity on the severity of the injury after the inconclusive X-rays.
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