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Oakland A's injury news: Chris Bassitt may need Tommy John surgery, getting 2nd opinion

The Oakland Athletics right-hander will be out for extended time. Plus injury updates on Danny Valencia, Henderson Alvarez, Sam Fuld, and Eric Sogard.

By Jeremy F. Koo Updated
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Bassitt has a "partial UCL tear," Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin tells Oakland A's beat writers this morning, and will see Dr. Timothy Kremchek in Cincinnati for a second opinion on his options. "Tommy John surgery is on the table," tweets MLB.com's Jane Lee. Whether or not a UCL replacement is required, it's likely Bassitt is looking at a lengthy recovery period. The San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser points out, "Depending on the severity of the tear, surgery occasionally can be avoided with rest and strengthening work."

Bassitt was placed on the disabled list Friday after a poor Thursday start where his velocity dipped noticeably in his final inning of work, which came after a 40-pitch third inning. That velocity has been down from his career norms over his last two starts. Bassitt had some pain starting the year, but until recently he thought it was just normal start-of-year soreness, he tells Darren Sabedra of the Bay Area News Group. The A's weren't aware of any serious issue until after Thursday's start, Bob Melvin said.

Jesse Hahn joined the team on Friday and was officially activated today to start against the Astros. Reliever Andrew Triggs -- called up on Friday when Bassitt was placed on the disabled list -- was optioned back to Triple-A Nashville.

In other injury news:

Danny Valencia will rehab for three games

Third baseman Danny Valencia is in high spirits following a hamstring strain that has had him on the disabled list since April 21, tweets A's Spanish language broadcaster Manolo Hernandez Douen:

A's manager Bob Melvin says Valencia will soon go on a three-game rehab assignment:

Valencia is eligible to be activated on Friday, May 6, the start of Oakland's three-city road trip to Baltimore, Boston, and Tampa Bay.

Henderson Alvarez next rehab set for Saturday night for Ports at Modesto

Starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez will pitch for the Stockton Ports on Sunday, Stockton Ports broadcaster Zack Bayrouty tells me. The most optimistic timeline for Alvarez's return to major league action is about three weeks, A's general manager David Forst told 95.7 the Game.

Alvarez threw 40 pitches over two innings for the Nashville Sounds last Tuesday. He was on a 45-pitch limit, reports Susan Slusser.

Correction: A previous version of this section stated that Henderson Alvarez would be starting Monday based on GM David Forst's interview on 95.7 The Game.

Sam Fuld will miss rest of year

The Sam Fuld era is probably over, as he will be getting season-ending shoulder surgery:

Specifically, it's rotator cuff surgery for Fuld, Slusser writes in her pre-game story on Saturday. This is Oakland's last year of team control over Fuld, who accrues service time while on the disabled list.

Nothing new with Eric Sogard since April 20

On April 20, Dr. James Andrews performed left knee surgery on Eric Sogard, with Slusser reporting that "there is no ligament damage to be repaired," and that the surgery was akin to the one Ben Zobrist had last year that sidelined him for about a month.

During spring training, it appeared likely that Sogard was going to be optioned to Triple-A after acquisitions of Jed Lowrie and Chris Coghlan made him surplus to Oakland's roster needs. The A's injury situation will dictate where Sogard starts the year after he's activated from the disabled list.

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