Oakland A’s shortstop Marcus Semien will have surgery on his right wrist, the team announced. The procedure will be performed on Tuesday, and he’ll be reevaluated in six weeks. Beyond that there is no timetable for his return.
Semien has been the A’s iron man the last two seasons, playing 155 games and then 159 games, respectively. Although he’s struggled at times defensively, he’s been a consistent presence at one of the most important positions at the diamond, while also providing solid production with the bat. This year he was drawing walks like never before, helping him get on base far above his normal clip.
The injury is a fracture to the scaphoid bone, which is “between the hand and forearm on the thumb side of the wrist” according to Wikipedia. The A’s press release explains that the surgery will “place a screw into the fractured area of the scaphoid bone to help promote healing of the bone to the fracture site.”
The 26-year-old was placed on the disabled list on Sunday, after his nagging wrist worsened. Top prospect Chad Pinder was recalled from Triple-A to take his place, with Adam Rosales expected to take over regular starting duties at shortstop for now while Pinder slides in as the new utilityman (via Susan Slusser, S.F. Chronicle).
The A’s have another long-term option available in Triple-A, should they so choose — their No. 1 prospect Franklin Barreto, another middle infielder who is already on the 40-man roster. Let’s remember to maintain some patience with the 21-year-old Barreto, though, as GM David Forst explains in the video below.
#Athletics GM David Forst on why no Franklin Barreto promotion with the loss of SS Marcus Semien, likely out until June (wrist surgery) pic.twitter.com/jg2qTHL90N
— John Hickey (@JHickey3) April 17, 2017