:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49129257/GettyImages-514656878.0.jpg)
Welcome back to Weekdays at Bernie's! It's the best dance in the game, so let's get rolling once more!
- Athletics closer Sean Doolittle is dealing with a slight triceps sprain and outfielder Sam Fuld has a moderate shoulder strain, as AN's very own Alex Hall and Jeremy Koo report from Mesa. Doolittle should be ready for Opening Day if he doesn't experience any further setbacks, but Fuld will miss at least three weeks. This does clarify the roster, however - barring any further injuries or a surprise trade, Chris Coghlan, Billy Burns, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick, and Khris Davis should comprise the club's outfield options come Opening Day.
- The A's have made their next round of roster cuts. Heading back to minor league camp are top prospects Franklin Barreto, Matt Olson, and Chad Pinder, along with catcher Bryan Anderson, righties Ryan Brasier and Angel Castro, and lefty Eduard Santos. Notably remaining in camp are lefty Sean Manaea and third baseman Matt Chapman, both making some serious noise as two of the brightest pieces of Oakland's future.
- Manaea continued to impress on Sunday, striking out seven White Sox over 3.2 innings in the A's 6-2 loss. The lefty only made one real mistake, giving up a two-run homer to Jerry Sands. Danny Valencia chipped in with an RBI triple, and Chapman smacked a double in the ninth. For more on the game, check out Alex's recap. Meanwhile, in his minor league start, veteran southpaw Rich Hill sorted out some of his mechanical issues. He threw 4.2 innings, allowing only one hit and three walks, striking out five. For more, check out Jeremy's report.
- The A's released the first two of eight new TV commercials. Check 'em out!
- While at spring training in Mesa, Jeremy got interviews with A's spring radio broadcaster Donny Baarns and non-roster catcher/outfielder Matt McBride. Check them out!
- Coco Crisp only played two innings on Sunday, but the early removal was pre-planned due to his long outing the day before, reports Joe Stiglich of CSN and the rest of the beat writers. While this won't come as a shock to many people, Alex reports that Coco is unlikely to play every day in 2016.
- Nico wonders if the A's are only planning their rotation out for the first four months of the season before deciding whether to buy or sell. He also has some bold predictions for the bullpen.
- Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Rymer Liriano has been hospitalized with "multiple facial fractures" after being hit in the face by a fastball on Sunday, the team announced on Twitter. This is horrible news, so please keep Rymer in your thoughts.
The Best Shape of My Life
- Long live CJ Nitkowkski:
Got the call to pitch in my son's coach pitch game. Punched out 12. The kid that looked out at me too long got dusted. It's good to be back.
— CJ Nitkowski (@CJNitkowski) March 20, 2016
That's all for today. Chris Bassitt and Jeff Samardzija, traded for each other in the winter of 2014, will face off at 1:05 today as the A's take on the Giants. Feel free to dump any links in the comments below. Until next time - lean on, A's fans!
