WEST SACRAMENTO — Less than a week since returning from the injured list, Nick Kurtz might be looking at another stint.
Facing left-hander Patrick Sandoval in the bottom of the first inning of Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the Red Sox in 10 innings at Sutter Health Park, Kurtz was struck in the left hand/forearm area by a 94.9 mph sinker and crouched down in significant pain. After getting checked out by Athletics manager Mark Kotsay and trainer Jeff Collins, Kurtz briefly remained in the game as a baserunner before getting replaced on defense by Jeff McNeil at first base to begin the second, leaving the game with what the A’s diagnosed as a left forearm contusion.
As of Wednesday night, the A’s were unsure as to the severity of Kurtz’s injury. The 23-year-old slugger will undergo further testing on Thursday, which will provide a better idea of whether Kurtz might have to go back on the IL.
“We’re going to have an MRI done in the morning,” Kotsay said after the game. “We’ll have a better idea of what exactly is going on. The X-ray is kind of unclear right now. We’re hoping for the best.”
There aren’t many more key players left for the A’s to lose, but it goes without saying that any extended missed time for Kurtz would be devastating. The All-Star first baseman and reigning American League Rookie of the Year has been putting together a strong sophomore campaign, entering Wednesday slashing .260/.398/.491 (.889 OPS) with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs. Even with time missed due to injury, Kurtz ranks third in the Majors in walks (77), third in on-base percentage, is tied for 10th in RBIs and ranks 11th in OPS.
There is no replacing the production that Kurtz brings as a middle-of-the-order presence. Should he land on the IL, the A’s would likely cycle in a few different options at first base, including McNeil, Jonah Heim and No. 7 prospect Tommy White. Infield options the A’s could call upon from Triple-A include Max Muncy, Darell Hernaiz, Joey Meneses and Jonathan Ornelas.
Without Kurtz, the A’s nearly notched what would have been their first back-to-back victories since June 25-26. Starter Jacob Lopez kept the Red Sox in check across 5 1/3 innings as he allowed just two runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks with a season-high eight strikeouts.
Lawrence Butler, who crushed a 422-foot homer in the fifth — his sixth of the year and first since June 19 — nearly walked it off with a second homer to lead off the bottom of the ninth off Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman.
“I for sure thought it was a home run,” Butler said.
The booming drive bounced off the top of the wall in center for a double, and Butler was ultimately stranded on third to keep the game tied and send it to extras, where Andrew Monasterio launched a two-run homer in the 10th off José Suarez to put the Red Sox ahead for good.
“I think we’re playing the type of baseball we played at the beginning of the year,” Kotsay said. “Our pitching staff is keeping us in games. We had a chance to win the game tonight against one of the best closers in the game. … It’s good to be competitive, but we also need to win those games, too.”
