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The Oakland Athletics announced that Danny Valencia exited Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees with a "left hamstring strain." In the top of the fourth inning, Valencia was attempting to score on a Yonder Alonso fly ball to left field but was thrown out at the plate to end in the inning. Valencia came up out of his slide grabbing his upper left leg, limped to the dugout, and did not take the field for the bottom half.
Updates are coming in from Bob Melvin's post-game press conference:
Melvin says team will know more about Valencia when he comes in tomorrow.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 21, 2016
Melvin says Valencia won't play tomorrow. Beyond that, unknown.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) April 21, 2016
More from Danny Valencia:
Valencia says it's a mild strain but he still feels it. Says he wants to play though for sure.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 21, 2016
#Athletics Danny Valencia said he felt the hamstring not on the slide at the plate, but when he popped up after being tagged out.
— John Hickey (@JHickey3) April 21, 2016
The A's moved Chris Coghlan from second base to third base and Jed Lowrie entered the game at second base. Because Jed Lowrie was the designated hitter, Kendall Graveman batted in Valencia's spot in the lineup, the fourth position, in the top of the fifth inning, after Josh Reddick was intentionally walked to put two men on base. Graveman struck out on three pitches and made New Yankee Stadium history:
Just announced: Graveman is the first starting pitcher to bat at the current Yankee Stadium.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) April 21, 2016
If the injury is severe enough that the A's need to recall an infielder, the A's have plenty to choose from in Triple-A Nashville. Tyler Ladendorf is the most versatile, as he can also play shortstop and in center field. While Chad Pinder and Renato Nunez are possibilities, neither has much experience above the Double-A level. Max Muncy and Joey Wendle are also on the Nashville roster and on the the 40-man roster.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as further details become available.
